An Explosion of Color: Highland Scenic Highway

Most people drive the Highland Scenic Highway for the scenery—and rightly so. There’s not another highway in West Virginia that offers such continuous vistas. Nevertheless, as the Parkway crosses high elevations, it creates and accesses some unique environs for plant communities. Wildflowers and meadows thrive in the abundant rainfall of the high country. Particularly in the summer months, I find as much to see and enjoy by the side of the road as at the vistas. Indeed, it seems as if the entire 23 mile length of the Parkway is lined with summer wildflowers, both common and rare. It’s like a narrow garden winding across the summits of the Allegheny Highlands.

So if you like colorful wildflowers, now’s a good time to drive the Highland Scenic Highway. It’s bursting with color, especially yellow. Starting at the north end off of US 219, Phyllis and I drove the Highway last Friday (Aug 19, 2016), and found large patches of wildflowers lining the roadway. 

It all started at the Red Lick Overlook where a wildflower garden sits in the center of the parking area. Wingstem, large coneflower, and Jerusalem artichoke were growing around the parking area.

   

Wingstem

As we drove south, patches of wingstem were particularly abundant.
We also spotted a large, half-acre patch of Jerusalem artichoke 1 mile south of the Red Spruce Knob trailhead. I’ve never seen so much of this gorgeous yellow wildflower in one place.  

Half acre of Jerusalem Artichoke

Jerusalem Artichoke

Jerusalem Artichoke

A stop at the Tea Creek Meadow highlighted teasel and lots of field thistle. We also saw fields of goldenrod just starting to bloom. Afterwards, we continued on the highway as it descended to the Williams River. About half way down, purple tall ironweed started popping up. With the sun shining on the stalks of ironweed, they took on a brilliant, neon glow. When they mingled with goldenrod, it was quite a colorful show. There was more tall ironweed on the side of the road as we ascended out of the Williams River.

 Field Thistle

Teasel

With the promise of more goldenrod to come, the Highland Scenic Highway is going to be popping with color in the next few weeks.

 Tall Ironweed