Catawba's Highlight The Wildflowers Of The Roans

In the world of wildflowers, mid-June means one thing..a trip to the Roan Highlands to see the blooming of the Catawba Rhododendrons. The exact date of when they are at pick can carry just like how spectacular a blooming year turns out to be. So, catching a year like 2016 doesn't happen often. This year I went at the same time of the year (the second week of June) last Thursday. While the blooms were great at Carvers Gap, add 500 feet or more in elevation and they were not close to their peak which included the famous Roan Rhododendron Gardens. Because of this I didn't go out to Grassy Ridge and from what I have seen on social media it was a good choice (they weren't out much yet either). The bigger surprise was that the Flame Azaleas, which are the supporting flower on the Roans gave the purples some orange. The Flame Azales were even patchier than the Catawaba Rhododendrons. Still, I got to see some, so that's a big win!

Cloudland Hotel Site (06-15)

First Catawba Rhododendron of the season!

 

Bubble Bees on Rhododendron

Butterflies...(T) Black Swallowtail, (B) Two-Tailed Swallowtail

Roan Rhodondrondron Gardens (06-15)

Rhodondrondon Gardens not near peak blooms.

King Devil's (L) Meadow Hawkweed, (R) Field Hawkweed

Creeping Bluet

Catawba Rhododendron

(L) Wild Strawberry, (R) Meadow Buttercup

Carvers Gap (06-15)

Some of the best blooms...

...of Catawba Rhododendrons

Engine Gap (06-15)

Mountains frame...

Flame Azaleas

(T) Schweinitz's Ragwort, (B) Meadow Hawkweed (King Devil).

Jane Bald (06-15)

Some vistas with rhododendron blooms.

Blooms from above Jane Bald.

More blooms from the AT

(T) Yarrow, (B) Sandmyrtle

Flame Azalea

Round Bald (06-15)

(L) Smooth Blackberry, (R) Three-Toothed Cinquefoil

Back At Carvers Gap (06-15)

The best Catawba Rhododendron blooms were at...

...Carvers Gap.

Roan Mountain SP Visitor Center (06-16)

Mountain Laurel