The state flower of North Carolina and a Christian religious symbol, the dogwood's bright, early-season blossoms are among the first to herald spring's arrival. The actual blossoms are small, greenish yellow, and are centered amid the showy white bracts that are often mistaken for petals. The medium- to dark-green leaves contrast pleasingly with the bright white of the flowers. In autumn, the foliage takes on a beautiful rich red hue, falling only slightly short of the springtime blossoms in visual appeal.

Dogwoods grow almost anywhere under 3,000 feet in the southern Appalachians. Spring 2009 must have produced conditions especially appealing to these small trees, as virtually every dogwood was cloaked so heavily in flowers as to create the appearance of thousands of white butterflies taking a rest along their migratory route. These examples were photographed in my own backyard, during a light but steady drizzle.