One of my favorite things about Asheville is the flowers! From the bloodroots in February and azaleas in the spring, to mountain laurels and sunflowers in the summer and fall, I can’t get enough of them. 

Flowers are everywhere in and around the city, in our public parks and greenways and downtown (Biltmore Avenue and Pack Square have beautiful flowering trees, including ancient magnolia trees). Many home gardens in Montford have pollinator gardens and gigantic Japanese Magnolias. Of course, the Blue Ridge Parkway and surrounding mountains offer a show in the spring, summer, and fall!

Asheville has one of the longest falls in the country, and the flowering season is also extensive – from late February to late October with the peak in late April to early May. I’ve compiled a list of some of the best places to see flowers in and around Asheville. Please let me know if you have found an excellent spot that’s not part of this list. Enjoy your visit!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).

The Best Places to See Flowers in Asheville, NC

1. Asheville Botanical Gardens

The Asheville Botanical Gardens in North Asheville is one of the best urban parks in the area. The 10-acre property is just a few minutes from Downtown and home to 500 wildflowers, trees, grasses, and shrubs native to the Southern Appalachians, including over 70 species of rare or endangered plants.

You’ll love the shade and serenity of the garden, with a half-mile trail looping through and alongside charming wooden bridges and a small creek. This is the perfect spot for a relaxed, educational wildflower viewing in Asheville. It’s a favorite place for families with kids and is popular for small wedding ceremonies and professional photo sessions. 

One-hour Spring Wildflower Garden Tours are available in April and May and are an excellent opportunity to learn more about the ecology of the Southern Appalachians and spot animals. Can’t wait till the spring? Check out their list of plant-related resources.

The garden is an entirely walkable area of town and connects to the UNC Campus and the Glenn’s Creek Greenway, which takes you to Weaver Park. It’s open from dawn to dusk, and entrance and parking are free. Stop at the Visitors Center to buy a locally-made gift and support this wonderful nonprofit organization.

2. North Carolina Arboretum

The North Carolina Arboretum, a must-activity on every Asheville bucket list, offers a fun experience for locals and visitors. Spanning 434 acres, it boasts 65 acres of beautiful cultivated gardens and a 10-mile network of hiking and biking trails. The trails connect to popular spots like Lake Powhatan, the Bent Creek Experimental Forest, Pisgah National Forest, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. What’s more, it’s dog-friendly!

Elected #1 Best Botanical Garden in the 2024 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards, you’ll love the bonsai exhibition, the quilt garden, and the award-winning National Native Azalea Collection. Plus the colorful flowering trees and wildflowers from spring to fall, including dogwoods, Black-Eyed Susan, sunflowers, and blazing stars.

The North Carolina Arboretum is a paradise for little ones. The Rocky Cove Railroad, featuring four G-scale (garden-scale) model trains, runs on weekends from April to October, providing a delightful experience. The educational activities and exhibitions are also a hit with kids. While the entrance is free, there is a parking fee. This is one of the best spots to have a picnic in Asheville and if you don’t want to pack food there is an on-site bistro.

3. North Carolina Arboretum to Lake Powhatan Hike

The Bent Creek and Lake Powhatan areas adjacent to the Arboretum are fantastic every time of the year and are favorites for locals to hike, bike, or have fun in the water. There are 32 trails, ranging from beginner to intermediate level, and many are interconnected.

The 5.5-mile out-and-back Bent Creek Trail starts at the North Carolina Arboretum and takes you to Lake Powhatan, offering many opportunities to see wildflowers in Asheville during the spring. This trail passes by the North Carolina Arboretum’s National Native Azalea Collection, featuring 15 of the recognized 17 species of North America and many hybrid ones.

Hiking the Bent Creek Trail is an easy, family-friendly adventure that’s perfect for a day out with the kids and your furry friends. You’ll be charmed by the mountain laurels, daylilies, and the flowers that grace the lake’s borders.

4. Take a Garden Tour

Our city is so abundant in gardens, and each one has its charm. The Historic Montford Garden Tour, for instance, offers a journey through eight private gardens in one of the most picturesque neighborhoods in the city. What’s more, the proceeds from this tour contribute to the communal Montford Garden on Montford Avenue and East Wanetta Street!

The West Asheville Garden Stroll event, held on the second Saturday in September, showcases the neighborhood’s most funky, creative gardens. It’s a great opportunity to explore Asheville’s most free-spirited neighborhood. You’ll love the artistic vibe! 

The Elder and Sage Community Garden on 33 Page Ave, across from the Basilica of Saint Lawrence and the Harrah’s Cherokee Center (Downtown), was initiated as part of the City of Asheville’s Edible Programs and produces flowers, veggies, and herbs that you can take home for free. 

You’ll love the funky decorations and the love the gardeners put into it. Most caretakers are elders from the nearby Battery Park and Vanderbilt buildings who will enjoy your company. You can learn more about this project by watching this PBS documentary.

Finally, I also love to hang out at the Curve Studio’s funky hidden garden in the River Arts District.

5. Biltmore Estate Grounds and Gardens

Biltmore Estate, an Asheville icon, is not just the splendorous French Renaissance-style château. It’s an 8,000-acre property with six formal and informal gardens, a glass-ceilinged Conservatory (greenhouse), and a network of trails leading to a lagoon, a farmyard, and the French Broad River. The landscape is beautiful year-round and a wonderful place to enjoy flowers in Asheville.

The designer was the landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, mastermind behind Central Park in New York City and the grounds of the US Capitol in Washington. From March’s daffodils to chrysanthemums in October, the gardens and grounds of America’s largest home are a haven for flower lovers. You can even buy a ticket to visit only the grounds and gardens and skip touring the house. 

Some of the most beloved and photographed nature displays at Biltmore are the more than 50 rose varieties and the glorious late summer sunflowers. While dogs are not allowed in any of the buildings, they are welcome on the grounds and in the restaurants with outdoor seating.

Biltmore Estate is one of the best places to see the fall foliage in Asheville. The gardens are also beautiful in the winter when they are adorned for the magical experience of Christmas at Biltmore.

6. The Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway is an Asheville landmark and one of the most scenic roads in the country. It features miles of hiking trails, historic bridges, and spectacular views from dawn to dust (and even star gazing opportunities!). You don’t have to hike long distances to get the views. There are many lookouts where you can park and enjoy a picnic with vistas and wildflowers.

The Parkway is home to over 4,000 species of plants, 2,000 species of fungi, and 500 species of mosses and lichens. The rhododendron offers the most popular flower display in June, forming whimsical tunnels. However, there are flowers from early spring to fall so be sure to check the BRP blooming calendar.

There are two awesome Blue Ridge Parkway hikes if you’re looking to see some wildflowers – the Graveyard Fields Loop Trail in the Pisgah National Forest features waterfalls and blueberry picking. And Craggy Gardens is a short, fun hike and you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking 360-degree views. Both are perfect family-friendly spots, promising a memorable adventure for all.

7. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Known as the “Wildflower National Park,” the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with over 1,500 flowering plants (more than any other national park), is one of the best places to see wildflowers near Asheville. 

Get ready for a week-long celebration of nature at the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in April. This festival offers diverse activities, from guided walks and exhibits to educational experiences and breathtaking views. Past events have featured engaging workshops, informative lectures, wildflower hikes, and exciting wildlife encounters. Don’t miss the chance to spot the adorable Spring salamanders on one of the guided hikes! 

8. Grovewood Village 

Step into the rich history of the Grovewood Village, an art space steeped in heritage and culture adjacent to the Omni Grove Park Inn. It represents 350 American artists and craftspeople and is home to open artist studios, two art galleries, two museums, and a magical sculpture garden.

Immerse yourself as you sit and picnic while surrounded by artist Lyman Whitaker’s kinetic garden sculptures, each a unique creation handmade from copper. The sculptures of human-size bunnies riding bikes, holding yoga poses, or relaxing in flower pots will surely bring a smile to your face! 

Be sure to visit the Gallery of the Mountains, which has handmade crafts including jewelry, clothing, home decor items, and other locally made gifts. The 9,000 Grovewood Gallery was once home to Biltmore Industries, created by Edith Vanderbilt as a small craft education program that became one of the world’s largest producers of handwoven wool. 

Today, it showcases handcrafted furniture, but you can still learn about the past by visiting the one-room Biltmore Industries Homespun Museum dedicated to the story of Biltmore Industries. 

Finally, the Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum features a collection of antique and vintage automobiles and Asheville’s 1922 American LaFrance fire truck. Entrance is free, and kids love it!

We hope you have a wonderful time spotting Asheville’s prettiest flowers!

SHARE THIS ON PINTEREST