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Spring Blooms by Month
Popular and Rare Wildflowers
Lady Slippers
The expanded pocket or "slipper" and spiraled browned petals of this lovely orchid are unmistakable. The colors of these blossoms are almost always pink or bright yellow, with purple veins and lateral petals that vary from greenish-yellow to purplish-brown. Found typically in wet woods, shady swamps and untouched woodlands these wildflowers are rare and truly beautiful to behold in person for those that are lucky to find them. Gorgeous as these blossoms may be, it's important to remember to leave them undisrupted.
Suggested Trails: Mum's the word on this one! In order to protect this endangered plant species, hikers and nature-enthusiasts keep the location of these beauties well under wraps.
White Trillium
The iconic White Trillium is known to be a spring showstopper, with large bell-shaped flower petals, and three white leaves around a yellow center. The white leaves turn pink with age. White trillium is commonly seen in the mid to low elevations of the park.
Suggested Trails: Huskey Gap, Chestnut Top, Porters Creek and roadside along Newfound Gap Road
Spring Beauty
The Spring Beauty is an early bloomer. It is easily identified by its unique pink-striped petals that bloom either white or pale pink. This blossom ranges from 3 to 4 inches tall, and has a pair of oval, dark green leaves that travel halfway up the stem. Spring beauty is commonly seen over a wide range of the park.
Suggested Trails: Porters Creek Trail, Chestnut Top
Yellow Trillium
Yellow trillium has a single yellow flower with narrow and erect petals. It has three leaves, three petals, and three sepals. It is frequently seen in the lower elevations of the park.
Suggested Trails: Gatlinburg Trail, Little River Trail, Huskey Gap, Chestnut Top and roadside along Newfound Gap Road
Wild Geranium
Wild geranium has 5 petals on each blossom that stand 12 to 18 inches and are bright pink and purple. Wild geranium is commonly found in the mid to low elevations of the park.
Suggested Trails: Walker Sisters Trail, Kephart Prong Trail
Trout Lilly
The Cherokee Indians believed that when the trout lily bloomed it was time to fish. The leaves look like brook trout with spots or blotches on them. The trout-lily is 6 to 8 inches tall and is a yellow, solitary drooping flower. Trout-lily is commonly seen throughout the park.
Suggested Trails: Porters Creek Trail, Cove Hardwood Self-Guided Nature Trail
Thyme- Leaved Bluets
Thyme-leaved bluets are a late spring wildflower. They are tiny flowers with four blue petals surrounding a central yellow spot. Often, the flowers are seen in a group. Thyme-leaved bluets are commonly seen throughout the park.
Suggested Trails: Kephart Prong Trail
Bloodroot
Bloodroot is an early spring wildflower. It has many narrow white petals surround a center of gold stamens. It also has veiny and deep-lobed leaves. The roots contain an orange-red sap, which gives the flower its name. Bloodroot if frequently seen in the low elevations of the park.
Suggested Trails: Cove Hardwood Self-Guided Nature Trail, Porters Creek, Chestnut Top
White Fringed Phacelia
Growing in large colonies throughout the park, this delicate wildflower can make the forest floor look as if it is blanketed in snow. Each individual flower on the White Fringed Phacelia has five white petals that resemble a cup-shaped wildflower. The petals typically turn purple with age. White fringed phacelia is commonly seen in the mid to high elevations of the park.
Suggested Trails: Porters Creek Trail and Cove Hardwood Self-Guided Nature Trail
Dutchman's Breeches
Aptly named for its two hollow spurs resembling a pair of pantaloons, the Dutchman's Breeches is a charming little blossom that can be easily found throughout the park. It is characterized as a white, nodding flower on a leafless stalk that hangs over dissected leaves. It is often confused with squirrel corn (Dicentra canadensis) which blooms at the same time in the same habitat.
Suggested Trails: Cosby Nature Trail, Porters Creek and Deep Creek
