Native azaleas

Most of our deciduous native azaleas (Rhododendron spp.) in the mountains and piedmont of the Carolinas have already flowered (there are just one or two species yet to come).

This natural hybrid (from Gregory Bald in the Southern Appalachians) has been in flower the last week and a half on the slope below our small house in the mountains-- beautiful. 

Gregory Bald hybrid native azalea

Not surprisingly, local native plant nursery folks collected the hybrids!   

Gregory Bald is a mecca for hikers and plant lovers.