Rhododendron The hillsides, valleys and peaks of the Smoky Mountains are covered with color in the late spring and early summer. Of course, if youre a gardener, you can buy rhododendron bushes or trees to transplant in your own yard. The blooms then start popping out in South Carolina and into North Carolina, following the Blue Ridge Parkway into Virginia. This cookie is set by Google and is used to distinguish users. "Take only pictures. Ephemerals are so named because they appear above ground only in late winter and early spring, then flower, fruit, and die back within a short two month period. Azaleas bloom in pink, red, orange, yellow, white, purple, and lavender. If you do visit during the summer, stick to higher elevations where highs range in the 60s and 70s. Beard-Tongue Its white and pink flowers bloom from early May through June on trails and roadways throughout the park. Wildlife Informer is reader-supported. Parking Program Info, More than 1500 species of wildflowers are native to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, more than any other national park. It does not store any personal data. Or, for a more moderate winter adventure, hike to Laurel Falls. By continuing to use our site, you consent to our policies and to our use of cookies. Rosebay rhododendron is in bloom at the lower elevations in June and at mid-elevations during July. Many rhododendrons bloom when the snow is still melting, and the temperatures tend to fall relatively low during the nighttime. As you drive across the mountains on Newfound Gap Road you will notice that the brilliant swatches of white and pink seem to be almost endless. This is a geolocation cookie to understand where the users sharing the information are located. When do Rhododendron, Flame Azalea, and Mountain Laurel bloom? They like to grow on rocky slopes and in mountainous forest areas. If the soil starts to become waterlogged, this could lead to a bunch of problems with the plant. "Rosebay rhododendron is the most common rhododendron in the Smokies. Nearby, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the rhododendrons at the lower elevations flower in April to early May, but the higher elevations dont show their color until June. The cycle appears to be approximately every 2-4 years. It is found only at elevations greater than 3,500 feet (1,067 meters) in the park, often alongside other rhododendrons on treeless shrublands call heath balds. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Advertisement". Tennessee's Roan Mountain State Park recently won the 2016 Park of the Year for how well the staff manages the park. Secondly, you should know that the rhododendron prefers quick draining soil. Bugs come out when the weather warms up including mosquitos and ticks. On Andrews Bald the peak is usually in early July. Ladies Slipper), Allegheny MyrtleBeard TongueBlack SnakerootBrook LettuceButterfly WeedCatawbaCommon ElderField DaisyFlame Azalea (uplands)GalaxGoats RueHydrangeaMagnoliaMountain LaurelMountain OxalisMountain StewartisNew Jersey TeaRhododendronSpiderwortYellow Ragwort, BergamotBlack-eyed SusanCoreopsisDutchmans Pipe VineFlowering RaspberryHercules ClubIndian PipeJewel-weedMountain StewartiaOx-eye DaisyPartridge BerryPassion FlowerPhlox (summer)Purple-fringed OrchidQueen Annes LaceRhododendron (white)SourwoodStar GrassTrumpet CreeperWild Lilies, Bee Balm( Oswego Tea)Betony (smooth)Cardinal LobeliaClematisEvening PrimroseGoldenrodHercules CluJewel WeedJoe Pye WeedMeadow BeautyMonkshoodMountain MintsSt. The Catawba rhododendron is the source of the pinkish swatches of color that cover the high elevations. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Following the Trails of Appalachian Living. Plus, springtime has the perfect weather to go for a hike and see the flowers up close! Black bear nursing her cubs in Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Sunrise view from Sparks Lane in Springtime, Rhododendrons in bloom on the Alum Cave Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Synchronous fireflies in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Henry Whitehead Place in autumn, Cades Cove at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Laurel Falls in the winter in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, breathtaking views from the top of Clingmans Dome, Find Authentic Charm Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Sevierville. The Rhododendron Festival is the third weekend of June. If every person picked one wildflower, how many wildflowers would we have for the future generations? These are just a few things that you should keep in mind when it comes to caring for the rhododendrons and making them grow properly while extending their blooming period as well. Rhododendron blooms are bell-shaped. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Before you go: Now is the perfect time to start tracking your gardening progress, and I created a garden journal to do exactly that. The gardens usually peak the third week of June. While lower park elevations often see winter daytime temperatures in the 50s, it can get much colder and snowier at higher elevations. At a Glance General Information Like most other plants, the rhododendron also blooms during the springtime. While wildflowers are visible roadside along Highway 441, and many of the other sideroads, the best place to see the numerous varieties of wildflowers and spring blooms are the on the hundreds of miles of hiking trails in the park. Rhododendron maximum, also known as Big Laurel, forms dense thickets, some as high as 20 feet, that are critical to the health of Southern Appalachian forests and the wildlife that dwell there. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Come prepared, with hiking boots with good tread and a rain jacket. Head to Oconaluftee to tour the Mountain Farm Museum, a collection of structures from the late 1800s, or visit nearby Mingus Mill. From Gatlinburg, drive east along US 321 (stop-light #3 in Gatlinburg) for approximately 6 miles. This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. While several types of rhododendron exist, including azaleas, three are very often responsible for electrifying the views from Carolina trails. Some claim the name refers to the roan or reddish color of the mountain when rhododendrons bloom in June or the mountain ash berries appear in September. Crowds are usually minimal, especially in early spring, making it a good time to check out some of the more popular parts of the park. This cookie is set by Google. Needless to say, when you visit, you'll be getting the best Tennessee has to offer. TN The Appy Trail runs through it. Used to track the information of the embedded YouTube videos on a website. It's FULL BLOOM everywhere, especially on the Rainbow Falls trail to LeConte. When Do Geraniums Bloom? Depending on where you live, you might be treated to a gorgeous bloom full of purple, pink, and other colorful flowers in the parks and the neighborhood. On the trail, Wise said it is important to leave everything the way you found it. During each month of the year, some forb, tree or vine is blooming in the Smokies. Required fields are marked *. The plant can generally be found virtually all over the continent of America, and is also popular in many parts of Europe as well as Asia. So a clump that you were particularly taken with last year may not bloom at all this year. The Purple, or Catawba, variety is more often seen at high elevations along hillside trails. The second most popular location to view the Flame Azaleas is to hike the Andrews Bald in late June. When Do Rhododendrons Bloom? Great Smoky Mountains Association 2010.Spring is here and the Flowering Dogwood trees are in full bloom! Mountain Laurel blooms in the Smokies from May through early June. And where can I see them? Mountain laurel blooms in early May through June, according to the park. Journal ARS Article. But first, its important to focus on the different kinds of rhododendrons. When you click and buy we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. The gardens are atop the mountains on the Tennessee - North Carolina border. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. They are both beautiful shrubs and among the most eagerly awaited wildflowers blooms in the Smokies. The gardens are simply beautiful. When pioneer botanist William Bartram discovered flame azaleas in 1791, he described the plant as certainly the most gay and brilliant flowering shrub yet known. This includes plants like: White Trillium Crested Dwarf Iris Columbine Phacelia Pink Lady Slipper Orchids Purple Violets Obviously, its going to be quite difficult for you to identify the different kinds of hybrids and flowers on your own, so you will have to figure out the blooming times on your own. Adding a bit of shade is going to keep them in bloom for a longer period of time as well. Along the highest peaks it flowers in late June. The rhododendrons explode in crisp pink and white hues, while the azaleas bloom in bright shades of red, orange, and yellow. Print/PDF map. Give them what they need, and theyll give you what you need (without having to chase them) every spring. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. They typically bloom from mid-March through April, with large green leaves and 6 to 10 white petals that open in full sun and close at night. All Rights Reserved. In the Southern Appalachians, they can grow to 25 feet or higher. If you are in Gatlinburg, please stop in at my gallery . Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Mountain Laurel is an evergreen shrub that is native to the eastern United States. Wiki User. The Rhododendron Festival is the third weekend of June. Certainly there are several forms of Azalea that fall into the same category but that is for another discussion. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Johns WortTurtle HeadWild Asters (early species)Yellow-fringed Orchid, Asters ( various)Blue GentiansBonsetFleabaneGerardiaGolden AsterGoldenrodIronweedLobeliasSunflowersYarrow, Bryson City - Swain CountyChamber of Commerce 210 Main StreetP.O. Considering the fact that there are so many different varieties of the rhododendrons and azaleas, you need to understand that the plant can bloom at various times during the year. Rosebays big clumps of whitish flowers appear in June at the lower elevations and from July into August at the middle altitudes. Red oak is a fast grower, eventually reaching a height of 60 to 75 feet with a spread of 40 to 50 feet. No Rosebay Rhododendron. The purpose of the Society is to encourage interest in and to disseminate knowledge about rhododendrons and azaleas. The mountain laurel start blooming in May. Leave it there for somebody else to enjoy.". Rhododendrons are native chiefly in the north temperate zone, especially in the moist acidic soil of the Himalayas and into Southeast Asia to the mountains of New Guinea. more information on current conditions mountain laurel, rhododendron and flame azaleas. The wildflower season begins with the spring ephemerals in March & April. Another great choice, as you can probably tell by the name, is the Laurel Falls Trail. The trail was strewn with delicate blossoms knocked off by recent rains. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips shes gained over the years. Found at the N.C. Arboretum and at the Blue Ridge Parkway MP 339.3 Picnic Area, MP 352-353, and MP 455-456. . From the earliest hepaticas and spring-beauties in the late winter to the last asters in the late fall, blooming flowers can be found year-round in the park. The flowers with the most dazzling colors, though, appear in the mountains. This cookies is set by Youtube and is used to track the views of embedded videos. Some of its most famous species are mountain laurel, rhododendron and flame azaleas. "Wildflowers don't particularly stick to the map, and, you know, some years, you can have great things in surprising places, even just along any of our overlooks as well," Wise said. Spring ephemerals include flowers such as trillium (the park has 10 different species), lady slipper orchids, showy orchis, crested dwarf iris, fire pink, columbine, bleeding heart, phacelia, jack-in-the-pulpit, little brown jugs, and violets, to name just a few.