The four seasons are definite in the southern mountains, each with qualities which set it apart. The Parkway motor road is open the year round, but is not recommended for winter travel.

Spring is the favorite season of many in the Blue Ridge, for nowhere is there a greater show of native flowers. In mid-April the shadblow blooms, lacy white on the hillside; but the real procession starts in early May,—pink azalea, dogwood, redbud. In mid-May the flame azalea appears like fire through the undergrowth. Purple rhododendron, native of certain areas in Virginia and prevalent in North Carolina south from The Bluffs, are next to bloom (late May to mid-June). The mountain-laurel is everywhere and breaks during June. The white to pink rhododendron comes later in June and lingers well into July. There are many spring and summer blooming shrubs and ground flowers in the wild places along the Parkway. Among these is the galax,—glory ground cover of the Southern Appalachians.

Summer in the Blue Ridge is a refuge from the warm temperatures, the altitude accounting for as much as five degrees of coolness per thousand feet. The eastern mountains, forest covered, are notable for their summer greenery. The intermittent highland valleys are a changing color pattern of growing corn, buckwheat, rye.

Autumn comes to the highlands later than you might think. The sumac, gums, the famous southern sourwood, turn brilliant red early in October, but are usually not joined by the colorful display of the hardwoods until the last part of the month, even early November.

Winter sometimes comes suddenly to the Blue Ridge. Travel then becomes uncertain at best. Ice storms, persistent fogs, and blustery winds make it so. There are many times when the mountains are clear and beautiful, but we advise local inquiry about travel conditions during the winter months before venturing on to the Parkway.