BY SKEETER
The Saint and I left our GEORGIA GARDENS for a little get-away in the Tennessee mountains. While there, I spotted lots of wild flowers along the roadside. This Sweet pea was so vibrant in color.
While nearby this Golden Rod was just starting to show its color.
Joe Pye Weed below a waterfall in the Great Smokey Mountain National Park.
Joe was mighty happy along the water side.
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia) was spotted in the middle of the water surrounded by large rocks.
Asters maybe?
Orange Jewel Weed and purple Asters mingling along with an orange colored leaf giving us a sign of Fall.
Orange Jewel Weed.
Wingstem (verbesina alternifolia) along the roadside.
Zooming inward, we see an Ant.
I believe this to be Coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata var. humilis)
This one really caught our eye! I have researched to find this beauty identified as Hearts-a-Bustin' (euonymus americanus) also known as Strawberry Bush, Swamp Dogwood and Spindle Bush. The Saint and I found this to be a really cool Bloom or Pod.
No Wild Flower here in this picture but found it captivating. A high foot traffic area in the woods above a nice roaring water way. Over time, ground erosion has exposed the root system of this tree. At some point the roots will no longer keep ahold of this tree and it shall be laying in the water below. Sigh...
Not another wild flower but rather a Wild Snake spotted along a sunny walkway. I was happy to say I knew this was a Garter Snake the minute I spotted it. A beautiful creature along with SMOKEY MOUNTAIN WILD FLOWERS, In the Garden...
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden
Great post and a nice little walk on this Tuesday morning.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite wildflower is the orange jewel weed. What a delicate beauty!.
Love the waterfall too, and the exposed root systems of those two old trees.
Have a great week ~ FlowerLady
I spotted the orange jewelweed all over the place while up there. It really stood out with the sun shining on it....
DeleteYou chose to show the many things I enjoy seeing while out in the wilds. It looks like you had a wonderful time. Love seeing trees with their roots exposed. They look ancient whether they are or not with the roots exposed like that.
ReplyDeleteLisa, trees such as this look as though they are going to get up and walk! Love them however, their time is limited...
DeleteSuch pretty views! So glad you got away and had a bit of summer fun! That Joe Pye is really really happy. I love hearts a burstin. We have some on our property by the pond but it is rather small. Hopefully it will get big. Those red seedpods make quite the statement--especially when sun hits them. Amazing!
ReplyDeleteWe were captivated by this Bursting hearts Tina. We spotted them about the same time. They were growing along the stream near the Welcome sign at the Smokey MT entrance. We stopped for a Geo cache and to snap a pic of the sign and there it was! Cool plant...
DeleteNice hike, love all the wildflowers. I didn't know the Wingstem, but I think I have seen them. Great pictures.
ReplyDeleteI had to look up all these wild flowers Janet! I was not sure if the Wingstem was a sunflower or Susan loosing its petals. Once I googled Smokey Mt wild flowers, there were most of the flowers in my pictures....
DeleteWhat a wonderful collection of wildflowers. Our are mostly done here with the exception of the late blooming New England Asters. We'll be visiting some new friends in early Feb. who live near S.M.N.P. I hope some things are still blooming....:)
ReplyDeleteEarly Feb may not be a great time for blooms in the mountains but hey, ya never know....
DeleteOh, I felt the coolness of the mountain air while reading your post. Love that Hearts-a-bustin' or whatever it's called. Wouldn't it make a great gift to someone you love? Hey, if it can survive livin' in swampy conditions, it makes a positive statement for a long love life.
ReplyDeleteIt was a nice refreshing visit to the mountains for fresh, cool air and surrounding beauty. Those Hearts a Bustin' were an awesome sighting for us...
DeleteYou certainly saw some pretties during your trip! The Hearts-a-bustings' blooms are really cool, and a cute name as well. I think Jewel weed is supposed to be a noxious weed, but those blooms are really pretty. Great photo of the trees!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful to see native plants in their natural environment.
ReplyDelete