Picture of the day - May 27, 2005

Spectacular Rhododendrons In Abingdon, Virginia

The Rhododendron has always been one of my favorite flowering shrubs. The huge number of large, colorful blossoms on such a large bush always gives any lawn or garden a wonderful splash of springtime color. Rhododendrons are extremely popular in the United States, and many Rhododendron and Azalea festivals are held each spring, including the one at Roan Mountain on the Tennessee/North Carolina border. In late June, thickets of Catawba Rhododendron blanket the crest of the Roan, turning the mountaintop into a sea of pink and lavender blossoms! In fact, Roan Mountain is the site of the world's largest natural Rhododendron garden! The 2005 Roan Mountain Rhododendron Festival will be held at Roan Mountain State Park the weekend of June 18 and 19 (10am-5pm both days). The spectacular Rhododendrons featured in today's picture are located on the front lawn of a home in Abingdon, Virginia, standing just a few feet from the street! I was just driving by and noticed them long before I actually got to them - they covered almost half of the front yard! I stopped and asked the nice lady who answered the door if I could take a picture of her beautiful Rhododendrons. She seemed very pleased and said "Sure, go ahead." The result is today's Picture Of The Day.   Picture Of The Day Homepage Interesting Articles