Favoritos de symphyotrichum

Hawthorn budding at the start of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail across from the overlook. Possibly the same species as the one found at Licklog Ridge, which was further along and already blooming: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/167536909

Found on dry, sheltered rock face. The rock is a large bolder among many, near the top of a ridge line. The ridge line is densely forested and shaded. There are natural seeps that emerge from below some of the boulders. Lobules on base of each ventral leaf are relatively small. Bilobed under-leaves present.

Carolina rhododendron in bloom at Bear Den Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I'm finding conflicting info on what the name for this one should be, either Rhododendron carolinianum (seems to be more commonly used in the horticultural trade) or Rhododendron minus. According to Wikipedia, R. minus var. minus is a synonym of R. carolinianum. This one blooms earlier than Catawba Rhododendron, and I hear it is also abundant in Linville Gorge.