During a ride through a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway near Cherokee, NC my husband and I spotted beautiful wildflowers on the side of the road. One of many was the Rhododendron calendulaceum (Flame azalea).
We stopped to make pictures of them and soon some other sharp shooters joined us. One of the visitors was a wild flower enthusiast and he shared some info about this flower. He said it grows best in the shade. Later I did a little research on this flower and learned that it prefers full sun but may need more shade. It has surface roots and must be planted in shallow dirt or with light mulch. It also requires a moist, acidic soil.
I immediately thought of personality types that tend to fall under this description. One type that likes the limelight and another that works behind the scenes; often unnoticed. The Flame azalea tends to bend toward the sunlight but its shallow roots cannot withstand the heat. Its moisture is soon evaporated. If it rests along the shady mountainside it is nourished by the decomposing soil at the base and in just the right season it begins to unfold its beauty and glorious colors. A gentle reminder to me!
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