Whether it’s welcoming in a new season with daffodils during the spring or celebrating summer with fields of sunflowers, there are plenty of reasons for all of us to stop and smell the roses, so to speak. Be sure to include these four events on your road trip through New Hampshire this season.
Daffodils for days – Dunbarton, Goffstown, Weare and New Boston
Late April – Early May
Daffodils, the flowers that symbolize new beginnings, are a sure sign of spring in New Hampshire. Enjoy thousands and thousands of these bright yellow and white blooms along the General John Stark Byway. They’re predominantly in Dunbarton, but you’ll also notice the yellow glow along sections of the scenic byway in Goffstown, Weare and New Boston. The effort started as a way to celebrate Dunbarton’s 250th anniversary. The Dunbarton Garden Club sold and planted 100,000 daffodils over ten years. The project culminated in 2015, but residents and visitors will be enjoying these flowers every spring for years to come.
Fields of Lupine Festival – Bethlehem, Franconia, Sugar Hill
Late May – Mid June
The Celebration of Lupines is an annual event paying homage to tall spiky flowers that line the landscape around Sugar Hill and surrounding White Mountain towns during the spring. When the blooms pop, local fields and pastures become awash in shades of purple, pink, blue and white. The Sugar Hill Market is historically a part of this annual event but is cancelled this year due to COVID. However, that won’t stop the flowers from showing up! So visitors are still invited to take a self-guided tour to see these spectacular spires along the scenic roads and byways. Bring a camera and capture this iconic bloom at one of the many photo opps along the way.
Rhododendron State Park - Fitzwilliam
Early to Mid-July
Explore Rhododendron State Park this summer where these big beautiful blooms are the center of attention. The 16-acre grove of Rhododendrons is the largest grove in northern New England, and if you’ve never seen that many in bloom at one time, you’re in for a treat. Sign up for
bloom reports to see how the flowers are progressing and when might be the best time to visit. There’s also a wildflower trail nearby the grove with flowers blooming throughout the summer season.
Sunflower Festival – Lee
July 30 – August 7
You might say it’s the perfect flower to celebrate summer: the sunflower! Coppal House Farm turns into a sea of sunflowers every July during the NH Sunflower Festival. The variety of flowers at the farm is unique because they’re oilseed sunflowers. Unlike ornamental blooms, they only bloom for about 10 days so the window to witness this stunning site is short. As if big beautiful blooms weren’t enough reason to visit, the farm donates 10% of proceeds to Make-A-Wish NH, an organization that grants wishes for children diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition. It’s a good idea to buy your tickets for the big flowery show in advance, especially if you’re hoping to see the sunrise in the sunflowers as there is a limited number of tickets available.