Naturalists at Grandfather Mountain are preparing for a event that takes a closer look at the rhododendron plant.

Grandfather’s public relations director, Landis Wofford, said the event is called the Remarkable Rhododendron Ramble, and naturalists at the park are planning guided walks and other activities to educate the public about the rhododendron and its importance to the local ecological community.

Wofford said the rhododendron blooms at successive elevations on Grandfather Mountain throughout the month of June.  She explained the flowers first appear near the entrance of the park in early June and by the Fourth of July, the purple blossoms can be seen at the Mile-High Swinging Bridge.

The Remarkable Rhododendron Ramble event begins next week on June 1 and will run until June 14.

(Photo courtesy of Landis Wofford)