Some Azaleas can grow quite tall. Here a Mountain Azalea (Rhododendron canescens) blooms in the Blue Ridge Mountains appropriately. This native is usually six to eight feet tall; but as is here, can reach up to fifteen feet in height. The Greek for rhodo is rose and dendron is tree; so shouldn’t suprise me such plants can reach such heights.Azaleas come in a variety of colors. Here is an Orange Azalea (Rhododendron austrinum), aka Flame Azalea. It is another naitve found in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Quite a show off. Copyright 2023 Pamela BreitbergCloser to the woodland’s floor was Mountain Doghobble (Leucothe fontanesiana). It is a highly poisonous, evergreen, native shrub that is often found near Rhododendrum thickets. The flowers are bell shaped similar to other spring blooming woodland flowers. Copyright 2023 Pamela BreitbergRaising my eyes again I spotted this fluffy bloom of a Wayfaring Tree (Viburnum fantana). In the autumn, what was a cluster of white flowers produces clusters of bright red berries that become black as they ripen. Being a wayfarer this morning myself it seemed coincidence I’d spy such a plant. Copyright 2023 Pamela Breitberg
