Atlanta Journal Constitution. Sept 2022.

An elevated stone surface rises above a plateau surrounded by dense forests harboring pine, oak and maple trees. The majestic mountain is endlessly gray, with dramatic swirl patterns and natural rock formations. There are no visible trails, just an unforgiving rock-solid mound that reflects the heat from the day and offers no shade, no water. But in just a few weeks, the barren landscape will be covered with the brilliant sunny blossoms of yellow daisies, a cause for celebration among regular visitors and an attraction for nature lovers.

Part of the same 400 million-year-old granite outcropping as Stone Mountain and Panola Mountain in Stockbridge, Arabia Mountain is located in Stonecrest, east of Atlanta, in the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve. Surrounded by wetlands, pine forests, streams and lakes, the granite mountain rises to 955 feet above sea level.

The surface conditions make it difficult for most plants to grow, but interspersed among all that granite are islands of hardy vegetation like moss, lichen and prickly pear cactus. And twice a year the mountain puts on a spectacular show of color. In April, a carpet of dramatic red diamorpha (also called elf orpine) blooms across the mountain. And for two to three weeks in mid-September, the bald mountain comes alive with mounds of yellow, an event affectionately known as Daisy Days.

~ This article appeared on AJC’s September 11, 2022 Sunday print section. Read the online version at Atlanta Journal Constitution.