My girlfriend in Virginia sent me this gorgeous picture of her gorgeous Mountain Laurels blooming.  As you can see, they are in their element:  under tall trees, part sun/part shade.  And apparently the deer don't eat them.  They have as many deer as we do.  
 

OK. Mountain Laurel, Kalmia latifolia.  Don't laugh, but I remember that name from Horticulture school, c.1973.  Hahaha!  According to one of my field guides, they grow 3 - 15 feet high, and bloom mid-May into July.   But I'm guessing these are close to 20 feet tall and are blooming NOW!  
 

FYI. This is just one glimpse into her backyard.  It is FULL of Mountain Laurel.  Thanks, Linda, for sharing with all of us.  These are beautiful.  Ours will be blooming soon.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!