Mountain Laurel

Mountain Laurel in my backyard forest

The first time I heard about mountain laurel was several years ago when I lived in Asheville, North Carolina.  In the spring when the mountain laurel would bloom, the mountains around town were filled with pink flowers. Where the plant grew thick, it was like hiking through a massive pink cloud. It quickly became a favorite plant of mine. It looks very much like a rhododendron, and it's size can vary. It's twisting branches are very pleasing to the eye. I was very happy to notice it growing here in Maryland, in the woods where I grew up. Even more exciting was seeing it in bloom here in Maryland for the first time in my entire life yesterday...