I know two weeks ago I said this would likely be the first year in 10 that I haven’t reported on the wildflowers blooming at The Pocket due to travel plans, other activities, and weather. Well, the Coronavirus cancelled some travel plans and other activities, and we had a brief respite from the rain today, so Cindy and I took a spin down to The Pocket.

Virginia Bluebells – Mertensia virginica

Mertensia virginica

It should be noted that the “spin down to The Pocket” took a little longer than normal – there is a bridge being replaced on Hog Jowl Road between David Crossroads and The Pocket Road, so coming from Chattanooga, turn right on West Cove Road at the beginning of the big curve that takes 193 over the ridge, follow W. Cove to Andrews Lane, where you’ll turn left as indicated by the “Hog Jowl Rd Detour” signs. Andrews Lane joins Hog Jowl just north of The Pocket Rd.

• Virginia Bluebell (Mertensia virginica) – Magnificent.
• Hepatica (Anemone acutiloba) – Still easy to find.
• Cutleaf Toothwort (Cardamine concatenata) Fading fast, but plentiful.
• Carolina Spring Beauty (Claytonia caroliniana) – More left than I expected.
• Star Chickweed (Stellaria pubera) – Everywhere
• Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) – Close to “peak.”
• Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum) – Plentiful, especially north of the parking lot.
• Bellwort (Uvularia grandiflora) – Plentiful.

Canada Violet – Viola canadensis

• • Rue Anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides) Plentiful, outnumbering the Hepatica.
  • Long-spurred Violet (Viola rostrata) – Plentiful, everywhere, but declining.
  • Canada Violet (Viola canadensis) – Peak.
  • Smooth Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens) – More than I remember previously at The Pocket.
  • Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia) – Many.
  • False Garlic (Nothoscordum bivalve) – Scattered here and there.
  • Field Pansy (Viola bicolor) – Or maybe V. arvensis.
  • Wood Poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum) – Perhaps at peak.
  • Dutchman’s Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) – Many blooming; just past peak.
  • Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) – Numerous and brilliant.
  • Plantain-leaf Pussytoes (Antennaria plantaginifolia) – Along the rim near the top of the falls.

Wild Geranium, Spotted geranium, Cranesbill – Geranium maculatum

• Trailing Trillium (Trillium decumbens) – Many; probably peak.
• Sweet Betsy (Trillium cuneatum) – A few blooming along Pocket Loop Trail.
• Bent White Trillium (Trillium flexipes) – Many blooming; peak coming soon.
• Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
• Purple Phacelia (Phacelia bipinnatifida) – Perhaps at peak now.
• Robin’s Plantain (Erigeron pulchellus) – Many along the horse trail (Pocket Loop Trail.)
• Wild Blue Phlox  (Phlox divaricata) –  A few starting to bloom.
• Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) – A couple flowers fully open.
• Violet Wood Sorrel (Oxalis violacea) – Many plants blooming along the horse trail.
• Roundleaf Ragwort (Packera obovata) – Just starting.

Jack-in-the-Pulpit – Arisaema triphyllum

• Heartleaf Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) – Probably close to peak.
• Bishop’s Cap (Mitella diphylla) – There are several blooming along to creek near the falls.
• Jack in the Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)- We spotted two of them.
• Dwarf Crested Iris (Iris cristata) – Just a few blooming; many more to come.
• Meadow Parsnip (Thaspium barbinode) – Just starting