Rhododendrons in the Mist: Hiking Roan Highlands

摘要

Finally, I made it to the southern Appalachians to see the native rhododendrons and azaleas blooming in the wild. Don Hyatt of the Potomac Valley chapter of the American Rhododendron Society (ARS), is largely responsible for luring me to this visual feast. Also a member of our local rock garden chapter (again a 'Potomac Valley' chapter, but of the North American Rock Garden Society, NARGS), Don has been visiting the native azaleas and rhododendrons (all are botanically classified as rhododendrons) for a couple of decades. He has shared his travels in presentations for our rock garden chapter, including tantalizing images of expansive views and big swaths of rhododendrons and azaleas in awe inspiring hues. I wanted to see them for myself.