Ellijay’s Newest Wildflower Sensation

If you’ve been out driving down Highway 515 within the past couple of months, you’ve more than likely noticed the new splash of colors along the side of the road. If you’ve been out the last couple of weeks, you’ve more than likely seen the lines of cars parked along the highway where drivers are admiring the fresh blooms up close.

A lot of locals and passersby alike wonder what these flowers are, and not a lot know the history of Georgia’s Wildflower Program.

The Wildflower’s Fresh Beginnings

The Wildflower Program began in 1974 when Mrs. Virginia Hand Callaway, then chair of the Birds and Wildflowers Committee of The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc., spearheaded the movement to plant and protect wildflowers on the roadsides. Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and several Garden Club of Georgia members presented their ideas to Georgia DOT Commissioner Downing Musgrove, who enthusiastically endorsed the program. (1)

List of Wildflowers

Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Bur-Marigold/ Tickseed (Bidens aristosa)
Clasping Coneflower (Rudbeckia amplexicaulis)
Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)
Drummond Phlox (Phlox drummondii)
Golden Wave Coreopsis (Coreopsis basalis)
Indian Blanket/ Firewheel (Gaillardia pulchella)
Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)
Lemon Mint (Monarda citriodora • Mexican Hat (Ratibida columnaris)
Narrow-leaved Sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius)
Perennial Gaillardia (Gaillardia aristata)
Plains Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria)
Prairie Coneflower (Ratibida columnaris)
Showy Primrose (Oenothera speciosa)
Threadleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis grandiflora)
Tickseed/Lance-leaved Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)

WARM SEASON ANNUALS 

Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)
Cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus)

COOL SEASON ANNUALS

Corn Poppy (Papaver rhoeas)

DAFFODILS

Narcissus ‘Carlton’
Narcissus ‘Ice Follies’
Narcissus x odorus ‘Linnaeus’ (Campernelli)
Narcissus ‘Double Smiles’