The Rare Pinkshell Azalea

Earlier this month I asked if anyone knew what this budding flower was in my post Beauty in Unexpected Places.  My first sighting of it looked like this.

Since then, the flowers have begun to bloom, and I have learned that they are Pinkshell Azalea's.  They are native to only 10 mountain counties of the high western mountains of North Carolina and is state listed as significantly rare!  I am so pleased that we have them in our front yard, and I can share their beauty with you.  Interestingly, the flowers bloom before the leaves come out, which makes the flower stand out all that much more before the leaves emerge.  I love the intricacy of the deep pink pattern in the middle of the petals, it looks like a henna pattern!

Please enjoy the photos.  The blooming process is not complete yet, though I wonder if this recent freezing weather, (and yes, flurry of snow flurry, see yesterday's post), will have stunted their development.

The simple beauty speaks for itself...