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TRYON—March officially brings spring to the Carolinas. As the days warm, the first of the spring wildflowers begin to appear at Pearson’s Falls and Glen, a botanical preserve located here in Polk County. A protected river cove, it nurtures a successive parade of spring wildflowers from late February through May. 

Called “ephemera” because of their short life cycle, these wildflowers emerge on the forest floor in spring where they receive warm sunlight, grow, blossom and disseminate their pollen with the help of insects before the deciduous trees overhead leaf out. One can see Bloodroot, Hepatica, Trout Lily and Spring Beauty, followed by Toothwort, Dutchman’s Britches, Foamflower, several types of Trillium and Jack-in-the-Pulpit to name a few. 

Many of these wildflowers are now marked by signs along the trail to make them easier to locate. Visit pearsonsfalls.org and download the Spring Wildflowers Guide, or pick one up from the Gatehouse when you are at Pearson’s Falls. 

Pearson’s Falls is a quarter-mile trail along the tumbling water of Colt Creek to a 90-foot waterfall. Along the trail, you will pass rocky outcroppings and rock areas dripping with water, all home to a wide variety of plants, mosses and ferns, in addition to spring wildflowers. Later in April and May, the Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel bloom. 

Pearson’s Falls is located on Highway 176 three miles south of Saluda. Follow signs with directions to the Gate House at 2748 Pearson’s Falls Road. Benches and picnic tables are numerous if you want to bring a picnic, take photographs, journal or just sit quietly. No dogs are allowed. 

The Tryon Garden Club has owned and operated the Preserve since 1931. 

For more information, visit pearsonsfalls.org or call 828-894-0301. 

 

Submitted by Lucy Brannon