A hallmark of Appalachian woodlands, Mountain Laurel is a stunning evergreen shrub famed for its spectacular late-spring bloom. Before they open, its intricate, geometric buds resemble tiny crimped candies. These unfurl into large, round clusters of beautiful cup-shaped flowers, ranging from pure white to deep pink, each delicately patterned inside. Its gnarled, twisting branches and thick, leathery leaves form dense thickets on rocky slopes, providing essential year-round cover for wildlife.