Flowers and branches make a natural decorative arrangement in the Roan Mountain forest
Colorful Artwork of Nature
Tag Archives: Roan Mountain
A Bright Spot in the Forest
A white flower offers a bright contrast to the surrounding greenery at Roan Mountain
Wild Flowers at Roan Mountain
Wild flowers are prevalent all around the Roan Mountain area in North Carolina
Glow of Moss
The glow of moss on a rock and tree trunk at Roan Mountain
Moss on the Forest Floor
Filtered light through the trees highlights moss on the forest floor at Roan Mountain
A Smidgen of Color in the Mountains
Roan Mountain features a collection of rare plant life, including some of the most beautiful wildflowers in the Blue Ridge Mountains. During our visit we saw only a smidgen of wildflowers, but rhododendrons and flame azaleas were blooming (as posted previously).
Brilliant Color of Flame Azalea
Rhododendron calendulaceum, commonly known as flame azalea, is an upright, loosely branched deciduous shrub. It is native primarily to woodland slopes and mountain balds in the Appalachian Mountains from Pennsylvania to Georgia. Here are some images from Roan Mountain Bald in North Carolina/Tennessee.
Colors at Roan Mountain Bald
Every year around the middle of June, the grassy balds of Roan Mountain and Grassy Ridge come alive with vibrant blooms of Flame Azaleas.
Hiking Up Roan Mountain Bald
Located on the North Carolina/Tennessee state line, Roan Mountain is actually more of a mountain range about 5 miles long – called a massif – than it is a single peak. Famous for its Catawba Rhododendron gardens with its brilliant purple flowers in spring. Grassy Ridge, along the eastern flank of Roan Mountain, is the longest stretch of grassy bald in the Appalachian Mountains. These treeless mountaintops offer spectacular views, fields of grass waving in the winds, and an alpine-like hiking experience. Will post images from this vista over the next few days.
Roan Mountain Rhododendron Gardens
From man-made bridges to nature – images of flowers and landscapes from a June visit to the Roan Mountain area.
Roan Mountain is famous for its spectacular natural gardens of Catawba rhododendron. The peak bloom time for the sea of purple-magenta is usually mid June, plus or minus a week depending on weather. The area is located on the North Carolina / Tennessee state line – the Pisgah National Forest in NC and Cherokee National Forest in TN.
Photos by Ravi 