Photo Gallery of Tennessee Wildflowers

Editor: Cheryl Hiers
BlueShoe Nashville Travel Guide

Here's where and when to see wildflowers in Middle Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Notice regarding hikes: some hikes require advance registration. Phone the sponsoring organization or the leader listed to confirm the date, location, and time of hikes. Trips are rarely cancelled, but sometimes changes are unavoidable. Call ahead to make certain of the precise details of each hike and to assure yourself a spot.

Shooting Star
Dodecatheon meadia L.
Photographed in Beaman Park, Nashville, Tennessee on April 20, 2008

Woodland scene at Beaman Park, Nashville
Photographed on April 20, 2008

For more information on Tennessee wildflower events in 2013, please see the Tennessee State Park and Natural Areas Guide to 2013 Waterfalls and Wildflowers (downloadable PDF)

April 23-April 27, 2013: GSMNP Wildflower Pilgrimage

This is Mecca for wildflower lovers: the variety of species and the abundance of native plants in bloom during this week of well-conducted hikes will leave the wildflower enthusiast in awe. Travelers come from around the world to participate.

"The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage is an annual seven-day event in Great Smoky Mountains National Park consisting of a variety of wildflower, fauna, and natural history walks, motorcades, photographic tours, art classes, and indoor seminars. Most programs are outdoors in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, while indoor offerings are held in various venues throughout Gatlinburg, TN."

This festival attracts botanists (amateur and professional) from all over the country; you should visit the web site, review the hike schedule, and be prepared to reserve your spot via web registration. The program of hikes is online at Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage. (downloadable PDF)

Warner Parks are among the closest and richest sites for wildflowers in Nashville. The Warner Park Nature Center will be conducting FREE wildflower hikes and programs this spring. Hike schedule is listed below. Please call (615-352-6299) for more information and to register for a hike. See the complete spring schedule online). See the Friends of Warner Park website for details on special events such as the Full Moon Pickin' Parties and volunteer opportunities.

Spring Hikes 2013

Sat. March 30, 2013: Spring Wildflower Hike led by Deb Beazley. 9 a.m. to noon. All ages. Registration not required.

Tues. April 2, 2013: Early Evening Wildflower Stroll. 5:30 to 7 p.m. Adults. Please call 615-352-6299 to register.

Thurs. April 4, 2013: Spring Wildflower Walk. 9:00 a.m. to noon. Adults. Please call 615-352-6299 to register.

Fri. April 5, 2013: Wildflower Tales. 10 to 11 a.m. or 1 to 2 p.m. Age level: 3 -5 years. Please call 615-352-6299 to register.

Sat. April 6, 2013: Spring Wildflower Walk. 9:00 a.m. to noon. Adults. Please call 615-352-6299 to register.

Sat. April 6, 2013: More Warner Wildflowers. 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. All ages. Registration not required.

Sat. April 27, 2013: The Colors of Spring. 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. All ages. Registration not required.

The Warner Park Nature Center is located at 7311 Highway 100, Nashville, TN 37221.

Spring 2013

Sat. March 30, 2013: Spring Wildflower Hike led by Cheryl Medley. 8:30 to 10:10 a.m. Please call 615-862-8580 to register.

Sat. March 30, 2013: Botany Hike TDEC botanist Andrea Bishop. 10:00 a.m. Please call 615-862-8580 to register.

See full spring schedule: Beaman Park (downloadable PDF)

Beaman Park Nature Center is located at 5911 Old Hickory Boulevard, Joelton, TN 37015.
Phone: 615-862-8580

Friends of Beaman Website

Radnor Spring Wildflower Hikes

Spring Hikes 2013

April 2013 hikes have not yet been posted on the Friends of Radnor Lake website. Please check their Programs page for update and more information.

Call 615-377-1281 for more information and to sign up for free hikes. Reservations are required for hikes because of limited space.

Spring Events 2013

Sat. April 6, 2013, 10 a.m. until all plants are sold out: Native plant sale. Featuring native plants that thrive in Middle Tennessee, this springtime Cheekwood tradition is sponsored by the Garden Club of Nashville. For more information, call Sarah Lowe at 615-353-2159. 

Wed. April 17, 2013, 6:30 p.m.: Celebrate Howe Wild! Cocktail Supper and Plant Auction
Sponsored by the Garden Club of Nashville
Celebration for the Howe Garden at Cheekwood. Chairs Julie Stadler and Jennie McCabe have planned an extraordinary evening of garden friends, food, and plants. Throughout the evening, plants will be auctioned off to add to your garden. This event benefits the Howe Garden at Cheekwood. For more information, call Sarah Lowe at 615-353-2159 or slowe@cheekwood.org.

Thursday, April 18, 2013, 6:30 p.m., Botanic Hall: Wine and Wildflowers
Sponsored by the Garden Club of Nashville
Another celebration of the Howe Garden at Cheekwood. Chaired by Shea Ghertner and Mary Morgan Ketchel. Jane O. MacLeod, President and CEO of Cheekwood, will speak on Cheekwood: Nashville's National Treasure. This event benefits the Howe Garden at Cheekwood. For more information, contact Sarah Lowe at 353-2159 or slowe@cheekwood.org.

Be aware that an admission fee to Cheekwood may be required for the above events: please call ahead to determine if fees apply and to reserve a spot.

For more botanical events this spring, visit Cheekwood's calendar. Or call 615-356-8000 for more information and for admission fees.

Cheekwood is located at 1200 Forrest Park Drive, Nashville, Tennessee 37205. 615.356.8000

The knowledgeable Herbarium staff at the University of the South conduct a number of stellar wildflower hikes on the Cumberland Plateau during March and April. Some of the outstanding ones you shouldn't miss include BlueBell Island (replete with Virginia Bluebells), Shakerag Hollow on the Perimeter Trail at Sewanee, and Collins Gulf in South Cumberland State Park(this section is the only other local spot that rivals Shakerag Hollow for numbers and diversity of spring wildflowers).

Spring Hikes 2013

Full schedule of hikes can be seen on the Sewanee Herbarium's website:

Sun., April 7, 2013, 1:30 p.m.: Roark's Cove. Hike led by Yolande Gottfried
A private property at the base of the plateau is being made available for a wildflower walk to see some species not seen on the upper plateau, such as Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) and possibly some early shooting star (Dodecatheon meadia), as well as trilliums and much more. Meet at the Sewanee tennis courts parking lot (on Green's View Road behind the Sewanee Inn site) to carpool or caravan to the location of this easy to moderate walk.

Sun., Apr. 21, 2013, 1:30 p.m.: Shakerag Hollow. Hike led by Mary Priestley.
This is Sewanee's Mecca for wildflower lovers, and the flowers should be diverse and abundant. Meet at the Green's View parking lot (past the golf course). 2 miles, moderate to strenuous, with one fairly challenging incline.

Sat., Apr. 27, 2013, 9:30 a.m.: Collins West. Hike led by Mary Priestley.
This section of the South Cumberland State Recreation Area is the only other local spot on the plateau that rivals Shakerag Hollow for number and diversity of spring wildflowers. Meet at the Collins West trailhead, just beyond the Swiss-Memorial School in Gruetli-Laager. Bring lunch and extra water. 6 miles, strenuous. For directions to Collins West contact the South Cumberland State Park Visitors? Center (931.924.2980).

Sat., May 4, 2103, 1:30 p.m.: Piney Point. Hike led by George Ramseur.
The community of plants that grows on the sandstone outcrops along the trail to Piney Point, including the rare elf orpine, is a specialty of Dr. Ramseur's. Join him for this moderate one-to-two hour walk, meeting at the tennis courts at St. Andrew's-Sewanee School (beyond the football field).

Note from the Sewanee Herbarium's newsletter: All times are CDT. Wear appropriate shoes on all these walks. Risks involved in hiking include physical exertion, rough terrain, forces of nature, and other hazards not present in everyday life. Picking flowers and digging plants are prohibited in all of the above-mentioned natural areas. For more information, please call Yolande Gottfried at 931-598-3346.

SPECIAL EVENT
Sat. & Sun. April 12 -14, 2013: Trails & Trilliums. The 10th annual Trails and Trilliums feature hikes in Shakerag Hollow and the South Cumberland State Recreation Area, including Collins Gulf, as well as bird walks led by David Haskell. T&T is sponsored by the Friends of the South Cumberland and held at the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly. Go to trailsandtrilliums.org for more information. Complete schedule is posted here.

Spring Hikes 2013

Sat. March 16, 2013: Stones River Bluffs. See details on website: 2013 TNPS Field Trip Schedule

Sat. March 30, 2013: Ghost River State Natural Area. See details on website: 2013 TNPS Field Trip Schedule

Sat. April 6, 2013: Wells Hill Park, Lincoln County. See details on website: 2013 TNPS Field Trip Schedule

Sun. April 7, 2013: Short Springs State Natural Area, Coffes County. See details on website: 2013 TNPS Field Trip Schedule

Sat. April 13, 2013: Native Plant Gardens in Nashville. See details on website: 2013 TNPS Field Trip Schedule

Sat. April 20, 2013: John Noel Natural Area, Hickman Co. & Narrows of the Harpeth, Cheatham County. See details on website: 2013 TNPS Field Trip Schedule

Fri. to Sun. May 3- 5, 2013: Elsie Quarterman Cedar Glad Festival at Cedars of Lebanon State Park. See details on website: 2013 TNPS Field Trip Schedule

Sat. May 18, 2013: Devil's Breakfast Table. See details on website: 2013 TNPS Field Trip Schedule

Sat. June 8, 2013: Fiery Gizzard Summer Trek. See details on website: 2013 TNPS Field Trip Schedule

Regarding hikes (posted on the TNPS's website: We encourage our more experienced members to share their knowledge with those who are new to the group. Since conservation is a primary objective of our society, plant collecting is not allowed. The physical nature of the trip is described to the extent known at publication time. Attendees are responsible for judging whether the trip is suitable for their particular abilities. All participants will be asked to sign a liability waiver as a condition of attending. Trips are rarely cancelled, but sometimes changes are unavoidable. Contact the trip leader a day or two before attending to get an updated status and to let them know who is coming. Keep the schedule and attend as many trips as you can. Check for updates to this schedule.

See website for Tennessee Native Plant Society for contact information and more details on hikes

TN Native Plant Society
P.O. Box 159274
Nashville, TN 37215

Spring 2013

April 12 & 13, 2013: 10th Annual Spring Naturalist Rally. See full schedule (downloadable PDF) or call 931-823-6347 for more information. Standing Stone State Park is located at 1674 Standing Stone Park Hwy., Hilham, TN 38568. Phone: 931-823-6347.

Unique Cedar Glades Wildflower Celebration in its 37th year

Friday & Saturday May 3 & 4, 2013

For more information on this event, please see the Tennessee State Park and Natural Areas Guide to 2013 Waterfalls and Wildflowers (downloadable PDF)

"Come and celebrate the Annual 37-year Festival of the Cedar Glade Wildflowers as we bring together the finest group of botanists, ecologists,and naturalists to present the beauty and uniqueness of the Cedar Glades through lectures, workshops, hikes, fieldtrips, and exhibits. Co- sponsored with the Center for Cedar Glade Studies Program at Middle Tennessee State University. Free to the public."

Call for more information: 615-443-2769.

Edgar Evins State Park, on the shores of Center Hill Lake, has an annual Celebration of Spring that includes a number of wildflower hikes.

Sat. April 13, 2013: 44th Celebration of Spring Annual Event. A full day of outdoor activities and various birding, wildflower, and butterfly hikes. Activities include face painting, egg hunts, a program with live snakes, pontoon boat rides, hikes, bird walks, wildflower walks, and butterfly identification walks. For more information call (931) 958-2446 or (800) 250-8619.

May 20 -26. 2013: Western Wallflower Week: Join park rangers and the seasonal naturalist for daily boat tours to view a magnificent display of this infrequent wildflower and other species endemic
to the limestone bluffs on Center Hill Reservoir. Be prepared for sun and rain. Water and a bagged lunch are recommended. Be sure to bring your binoculars. Arrive 15 minutes prior. Boat will leave promptly at 10 a.m. CDT and trip will last approximately three hours. Limed to 12 people per tour. Sorry, no children under three. Reservations required. For more information call: (931) 858-2114. See downloadable PDF for more information.

Edgar Evins State Park is located at 1630 Edgar Evins State Park Road, Silver Point, TN 38582. Phone: 931-858-2446.

32th Annual Wildflower Pilgrimage

Sat. & Sun April 6 & 7, 2013: Annual Wildflower Pilgrimage. Explore the park and see many early spring wildflowers and lovely vistas. A variety of hikes, workshops, driving tours, and slideshows will be offered. For more information, please call 423-881-5708. See full spring schedule (downloadable PDF).

Fall Creek Falls State Park is located at 2009 Village Camp Road, Pikeville, TN 37367. Phone: 423-881-5298.

Tennessee Wildflower Hikes by location (Photo Galleries):

April 26, 2009: Abrams Fall, Cades Cove, GSMNP

April 24, 2009: Sevier County Hike, GSMNP

April 23, 2009: Chimneys Picnic Area/Hardwood Cove Trail, GSMNP

April 23, 2009: Thomas Divide/Kanati Fork Trail, GSMNP

April 4, 2009: Taylor Hollow Part One, Sumner County

March 28, 2009: Taylor Hollow Part One, Sumner County
March 28, 2009: Taylor Hollow Part Two, Sumner County

March 1, 2009: Percy Warner Park, Nashville

April 20, 2008: Beaman Park, Nashville

April 5, 2008: Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail Part One, Ashland City
April 5, 2008: Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail Part Two, Ashland City

March 30, 2008: Percy Warner Park, Nashville

March 30, 2008: Edwin Warner Park, Nashville

February 17 , 2008: Mossy Ridge Trail in Percy Warner Park, Nashville

July 15 , 2007: Roan Mountain Cloudland Trail
July 15 , 2007: Roan Mountain Highlands

April 21 , 2007: Standing Stone State Park Part One, Overton County
April 21 , 2007: Standing Stone State Park Part Two, Overton County

Sept. 17 , 2006: Beaman Park, Davidson County

Sept. 16, 2006: Kelly Creek Seeps, Williamson County, TN

July 15 , 2006: Roan Mountain (Tennessee-North Carolina stateline)

Apr. 28 , 2006: Sevier County Hike, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Mar. 18 , 2006: Mossy Ridge Trail, Percy Warner Park, Nashville

Apr. 27, 2003: Abrams Falls Trail, Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mts. National Park

Apr. 26, 2003: Great Smoky Mts. National Park

Apr. 25, 2003: Chimneys Trail, Great Smoky Mts. National Park

Apr. 25, 2003: Courthouse Rock hike, Great Smoky Mts. National Park

Apr. 24, 2003: Bud Ogle Nature Trail, Great Smoky Mts. National Park

Apr. 24, 2003: Sugarland to Ash Hopper Branch Trail, Great Smoky Mts. National Park

Apr. 19, 2003: Cedars of Lebanon State Park, Lebanon, TN
Apr. 18, 2003: Beaman Park, Nashville, TN
Apr. 12, 2003: Standing Stone State Park, near Livingston, TN
Apr. 05, 2003: Shakerag Hollow, Perimeter Trail, University of the South, Sewanee, TN
Apr. 03, 2003: Mossy Ridge Trail, Percy Warner Park, Nashville, TN
Mar. 29, 2003: BlueBell Island & Collins Gulf in Savage Gulf Wilderness Area, South Cumberland State Park
Mar. 28, 2003: Mossy Ridge Trail, Percy Warner, Nashville, TN
Mar. 22, 2003: Radnor Lake State Park, Nashville, TN
Mar. 20, 2003: Mossy Ridge Trail, Percy Warner Park, Nashville, TN
Mar.15, 2003: Long Hunter State Park, Lebanon, TN