How beautiful is the Mountain Laurel!!!!  Especially NOW!!!

 

Kalmia latifolia.  This is a close-up picture of a single blossom cluster.  To put it in perspective, it is an evergreen shrub between 3 and 15 feet tall, and it blooms all over the bush.  

 

Native to our mountains, it can be seen as far north as Quebec, and as far south as Florida.  It lives in open forests and rocky places.  Since it is an acid-soil lover, it really loves pine forests.  It is somewhat shade tolerant, but blooms better with some sun.  We have lots in our neighborhood.

 

And it's just starting to bloom.  We should see them for the next couple weeks.  You can see them on the Creekside trail, and along the roads.  If you go up to Brasstown Bald, you'll see them everywhere!    

 

It is beautiful, but POISONOUS.  Not that you'd be tempted to eat it, I'm just sayin, so you know.

 

I read an interesting thing today:  when stem-killed by fire or drought, it can regrow vigorously.  That's great news, since so much was killed by our 2016 drought.  Let's keep an eye out for new growth.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!