The orange- to sometimes red-flowered and deciduous flame azalea closely follows along with the Catawbas.

Though the views that it offers are available year round, Gregory Bald is most noted for the flame azaleas that bloom wildly in late June.

With rugged terrain, numerous rock outcroppings, and scenic vistas, it also offers a rich mixture of mountain hardwoods, rhododendron, flame azaleas, and a variety of wildflowers.

In mid-May, flame azaleas are usually in bloom along the parkway in southwestern Virginia and in North Carolina.

In Spring, flower species like flame azaleas and fameflower bring a blaze of color to the ravine.

For 53 years, crowds have gathered at the event to see blooming wild iris, dogwoods, mountain laurel shrubs up to 40 feet high, flame azalea and scores of other forest flowers.

No matter what the growing conditions, the flame azalea (R. calendulaceum) always adds orange and red sparks in fall.

Ryan led the way through a bright patch of red-orange flame azaleas, picking his way between the nodding shrubs, ducking beneath some of their twelve-foot-high flowers.

Notable flowering shrubs include rhododendron, flame azalea, and mountain laurel.

Ms. Taylor, for instance, said she was partial to sheep laurel and flame azalea.