Rhododendron Mountain Laurel. I have seen many a beautiful bloom on the blue ridge parkway. Mountain laurel is a native of the eastern part of the us particularly the appalachian region.
Mountain laurel is evergreen with pointed oval leaves while rhododendron s leathery round tipped leaves curl up like cigars in sub freezing temperatures. May to june later at higher altitudes. Mountain laurel kalmia latifolia and rhododendron are both members of the heath family ericaceae sometimes called calico bush mountain laurel is one of about seven species in the genus kalmia.
Cultivars of rhododendron are beloved ornamental plants.
The similar looking white and pink flowering plant mountain laurel genus kalmia blooming from early may through june was called ivy by the mountain people. Mountain laurel is evergreen with pointed oval leaves while rhododendron s leathery round tipped leaves curl up like cigars in sub freezing temperatures. Are rhododendron and mountain laurel truly toxic to burn in a campfire. The bushes will range in height from 6 to 15 feet.