Appalachian Rhododendron. Roan mountain is not actually one mountain but a high ridge about 7 miles long. Rhododendron macrophyllum a widespread rhododendron of the pacific northwest is the state flower of the us state of washington.
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Take route 19e to the town of roan mountain turn onto route 143 and travel 12 8 miles to the tn nc state line carver s gap on your way up the mountain you ll pass through the roan mountain state park eventually you leave the state park and enter the national forest. The deciduous varieties common in the central appalachian mountains flourish in the higher elevations and cooler temperatures. Genus rhododendron can be evergreen or deciduous shrubs or trees with simple leaves sometimes with a dense colourful indumentum of hairs on the lower side and funnel shaped bell shaped or tubular flowers that may be solitary or in short racemes.
At carver s gap turn right following the signs to the rhododendron gardens two miles up.
In the southern appalachians they can grow to 25 feet or higher. Rhododendron maximum the most widespread rhododendron of the appalachian mountains is the state flower of the us state of west virginia and is in the flag of west virginia. Carvers gap is the gateway to the world famous roan highlands and the worlds largest natural rhododendron garden in the world. Other common names augustine s rhododendron.
