Lots of familiar plants (and weeds) were there – verbascums, yarrow, Echium vulgare, dandelions and more – introduced by European settlers brought plants familiar to them to their new land. And striking yuccas stood sentinel on the roadside in open places, looking out of place to me who was used to finding them in dry Texas, thousands of miles to the south.
Driving slowly along the road brought us a bear sighting. Black bears are found in these mountains, although they prefer to keep away from trails and humans, so we were fortunate to see one. We stopped and watched, both fascinated and awed. A wild turkey, smaller and slimmer than its domesticated cousins, shot out into the road in front of us, scurrying into the undergrowth. Stands of Joe-Pye weed and golden rod (Soldagio sp) promised autumn glory.
A shady bank at the entrance to a trail was rich in floral bounty, a crushed strawberry bramble (Rubus odoratus), a sprawling rose, perhaps Rosa carolina, the nodding heads of Allium cernuum, aquilegias, wild bergamont (Monarda fistulosa) and elegant smooth Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum biflorum). Dutchman’s breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) with white hanging flowers, a dark purple violet (Viola pepilionacea) and the wood anenome (Anemone quniquefolia).
A trail, even, well maintained and with footbridges, brought us to stands of striking veratum, clearly a deer delicacy as all bar one of the flower stalks had been snapped off, cimifuga, the curious blanched stems of Indian-pipe (Monotropa uniflora), and brilliant clear-red monarda (Monarda didyma). The kalmias were finishing, scruffy un-pruned bushes but still glorious in full bloom. Goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus) hung its heads of loose, tassel-like flowers. And everywhere, tiny chipmunks darted about at ground level, busily foraging and trying to avoid the huge and noisy humans passing by.
Scrambling down a path from a parking area, so that we could stand on and walk a short section of the famous Appalachian Trail, brought more flowers. Tucked into the rocky faces were sedums, heucheras clung to shady spaces and the hot exposed areas where home to verbasucms, daises and more.
Seeing these all plants growing wild was such a joy – even though our book confirmed that we there are many, many wildflowers that we hadn’t seen. So many of our garden plants come from the USA, seeing them massed in the wild and dotted in shady corners brought home how gorgeous they are. And it was clear that many prefer moist soil requirements and a position out of full, all-day sun, conditions I need to replicate at home. The wretched Japanese beetles that devoured my flowers in my lowland Virginia garden where here as well, munching on the Black-eyed Susans. Well paradise is not without it’s drawbacks – but please don’t let us get these evil bugs in New Zealand!
Diverse goals or not, it was a resounding success – we had walked down and back up a canyon, climbed a rocky path high above the valleys, seen a range of wildlife and perhaps even a bear-den. And I had seen an amazing range of wildflowers. We were all invigorated - the cooler temperatures that altitude brings, the feeling of space, green and clean air.
