Turk’s Cap Lily, Lilium superbum: This beautiful lily, although considered rare in some areas, is abundant in the High Country. Travel almost any road in the area, or take a peek in powerline cuts, and you are likely to see this tall (3-7”) beauty. It’s easily identified by its drooping orange flowers with reddish-brown spots and six curved-back petal-like segments. Look for a green star in the center of the flower.

Good viewing location: Hwy. 105 from Linville to Intersection of Hwy. 105 and Hwy. 184.

Michaux’s Lily or Carolina Lily, Lilium michauxii: The Carolina Lily is similar in appearance to Turk’s Cap Lily except it is smaller and has fewer flowers per plant. The green star center is missing in this lily and the leaves are widest above the middle. I’ve noticed also this lily is very fragrant, whereas the Turk’s Cap Lily has no fragrance.

Good viewing: Edgemont Road.

Yellow-fringed Orchid, Platanthera ciliaris: P. ciliaris is fairly common in the High Country. Watch sunny roadbanks for this traffic-stopper. The blossom is a many-flowered cluster of deep orange to bright yellow flowers with a drooping, deeply fringed lip petal. This July-September bloomer can reach 2 ½ ft. in height.

Of course, there is additional brightness in our world with various sunflowers, Black-eyed Susans, Queen Anne’s lace, Butterfly Weed, Ox-eye Daisy, Coreopsis, Sneezeweed, St. John’s Wort, Spiderwort, tall purple Joe-Pye Weed, Tall Bellflower, orange Jewelweed and Bee Balm.

Enjoy!