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Behind Blue Ridge Country

CURRENT Behind Blue Ridge Country

May’s Wild Edible: Gem-Studded Puffball

Numerous species of puffballs are native to the Blue Ridge, and certainly one of the most common ones is the dull-white gem-studded puffball.

Birds of the Blue Ridge: Yellow-rumped Warbler

Affectionately called “butter-butt,” the yellow rump on this warbler is hard to miss!

April’s Mountain Wildflower: Serviceberry

Early springtime drives on an otherwise dull and monotonous four-lane highway can be transformed into wondrous trips by hillsides covered with splashes of white serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) flowers.

April’s Wild Edible: Half-Free Morels

For those of us who search for mushrooms in the Blue Ridge Mountains, April means it morel season, all month long.

March’s Wild Edible: Lamb’s Quarter

Rising up through the soil this month is one of the most fascinating plants in the Blue Ridge Mountains…the lamb’s quarter.

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Gem-studded puffballs can be found growing by themselves or in clusters.

May’s Wild Edible: Gem-Studded Puffball

Numerous species of puffballs are native to the Blue Ridge, and certainly one of the most common ones is the dull-white gem-studded puffball.
931ea432-2047-11f0-b2b0-12163087a831-Yellow-rumped-Warbler---photo-by-Mike-Blevins

Birds of the Blue Ridge: Yellow-rumped Warbler

Affectionately called “butter-butt,” the yellow rump on this warbler is hard to miss!
ae8df4ae-0fec-11f0-9860-12163087a831-4-2025serviceberry--credit-Joe-Cook

April’s Mountain Wildflower: Serviceberry

Early springtime drives on an otherwise dull and monotonous four-lane highway can be transformed into wondrous trips by hillsides covered with splashes of white serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) flowers.
Half-free morels growing on the side of a Craig County, Virginia mountain.

April’s Wild Edible: Half-Free Morels

For those of us who search for mushrooms in the Blue Ridge Mountains, April means it morel season, all month long.
Lamb’s quarter growing along the author’s chicken run.

March’s Wild Edible: Lamb’s Quarter

Rising up through the soil this month is one of the most fascinating plants in the Blue Ridge Mountains…the lamb’s quarter.
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Knoxville Asian Festival, August 29-30,  Knoxville, Tennessee. Photo courtesy of Asian Culture Center of TN
Events

Fall 2026 Festivals & Events Guide

From the Virginias and the Carolinas to Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky, our annual compendium is the perfect travel companion. Inside,

April 20, 2026
4th of July Parade & Festival, July 4, Blowing Rock, North Carolina.
Events

Summer 2026 Festivals & Events Guide

From the Virginias and the Carolinas to Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky, our annual compendium is the perfect travel companion. Inside,

April 20, 2026

CALENDAR OF EVENTS