Take a nature break and refresh your soul with some beautiful flowers and gardens around the Charlotte area. Things will be lovely this month, June, but the sunflowers will carry you through July.
Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies (May-June)
Landsford Canal State Park is home to the world’s largest population of Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies. These beautiful flowers bloom each year along the Catawba River and can be viewed from the park from May through mid-June. A 1.5-mile, round-trip hike down either the Nature Trail or Canal Trail takes you to an overlook where the spider lilies can be best viewed. Visit their webpage here for weekly update on flowers status.
Lily Watch Update – May 29, 2025
The spider lilies are still looking beautiful! This week’s rain has not negatively affected the flowers, and river levels have not submerged the plants. Probably about 70% of the plants still have flowers on them. Prepare for large crowds at the park – if you are looking to avoid some of the congestion, plan to arrive earlier (before 10 am) or later (after 3 pm) in the day. We will be making our way past peak bloom soon.
Sunflower Fields (July)
July is SUNFLOWER month around Charlotte, and, depending on rainfall and temperatures, most fields will be in full bloom in a couple of weeks. Some fields allow for picking of the flowers, and some are just for visiting and/or photos. Some are drop in and some require appointments. The best way to plan your trip is to use our links thru to the farm(s) you want to go to, and see what they’re saying about their specific situation. Call before you go to make sure.
McLawland Farms – Summer Hours June 15 – Aug 15, 2025.
Various Summer Flowers + Dahlias, Torch Lilies, Sunflowers
8632 Reedy Creek Road, Charlotte NC 28215 – 12 miles
(704) 804-0937. Appointment required, book here. Click thru to book.
Hours: Thursdays, Saturdays, & Sundays 9 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. by appointment only
Thurs. & Sat. Evenings 4:30-8:00 pm
Wise Acres Organic U Pick Farm
4701 Hartis Road Indian Trail, NC 28079 – 18 Miles
(704) 628-6232
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED!! Book here. Currently taking flower picking reserves.
Pockets of Poppies FLOWER FARM – U-Pick starts June 14
6515 Love Mill Rd, Unionville, NC 28110 (26-30 Miles)
A working flower farm that offers U-Pick. They announce the schedule on Sunday for the coming week.
Bring your own vase / vessel. NO PETS.
Draper Wildlife Management Area Sunflower Field
1080 Draper Road, McConnells, South Carolina – 36 Miles
FREE to visit for photos but NO PICKING No reservation required, open dawn to dusk. No picking or cutting flowers, photos allowed and professional photography sessions available – check their social media.
Oddie’s Sunflower Farm – Sunflowers are Blooming at Oddies!
2890 Oddie Road Salisbury, NC 28146 – 45 miles
(704) 239-1315
Open 7 days a week, sun-up to sundown. No charge but donations are welcome. There is a donation box on site.
Howard Family Farm
250 Crater Rd Harmony, NC 28634 – 57 Miles
(704) 539-4994 Fruits and Veggies Farm with a Sunflower Field in July for picking.
Other Flowers to Pick in June & July:
Curiosity Farm Flowers
35 minutes Drive
520 Crestmont Dr SE, Concord, NC
Aurora Flora
Reservations for Summer Flower U-Pick Opening Soon – check back
30-45 minutes depending on traffic 169 Judas Road, btw Mooresville and Troutman NC
Flower Farm at Crowders Mountain
Now Open. Various seasonal flowers to pick. Fabulous Snapdragons at pub time.
30 minutes from Charlotte
513 Bunker Hill Road, Kings Mountain, NC
More Flower Farms to Visit HERE.
Farms with Fall Sunflowers
Carrigan Farms SUNFLOWERS late summer early fall.
1261 Oak Ridge Farm Hwy (Intersection of 150 & 152)
Mooresville, NC 28115 (32 Miles)
704-664-1450 Timed to coincide with their pumpkin and apple picking seasons. Check back on their site for more scoop.
Bush N Vine Farm
1650 Filbert Hwy, York, South Carolina (37 Miles)
803-684-2732
info@bushnvinefarm.com. Expect to have sunflowers August-October
Area Gardens to Stroll
- MapleWalk Garden:. This private garden offers a unique Southern garden experience with diverse trees, shrubs, and perennials. Self-guided visits are free, and they host garden events and tours.
- Charlotte Serenity Garden:. Another privately owned but open-to-the-public garden, located in South Charlotte, the Serenity garden is a woodland oasis that provides a peaceful and contemplative space. It features a variety of plants and trees, along with sculptures.
- The Duke Mansion:. The Duke Mansion’s grounds and gardens, the Mary D.B.T. Semans Gardens, offer a place of delight befitting the elegance of the mansion.
- Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary:. This sanctuary combines beautiful gardens with a bird sanctuary. It includes the SEED Wildlife & Children’s Garden and The Elizabeth Lawrence House & Garden. Admission is available for self-guided tours, with tickets purchased online or at the door.
- UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens:. Located on the University of North Carolina at Charlotte campus, these gardens are free and offer a variety of plant collections. Visitors can explore the McMillan Greenhouse and other garden areas, including a butterfly garden, water garden, and an Asian garden.
- The McGill Rose Garden / ROSIE’s:. This garden in NoDa offers a fragrant and beautiful display of roses from what used to be Charlotte’s premier rose-art, and has the bonus of Rosie’s Wine on site.
- Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden:. Situated about 20 miles outside Charlotte, this garden features 30 acres of themed gardens, walking trails, and more.
- Glencairn Garden in Rock Hill: Free admission and about 26 miles outside of Charlotte. The 11 acre garden, which was originally a private backyard garden, features fountains, ponds and a variety of blooms year-round.
