When do the Mountain Laurels (Kalmia latifolia) bloom?
A close relative of Rhododendron, laurel is sometimes called ivy and Rhododendron called laurel. The term “Laurel Hells” can refer to Rhododendron thickets which, with their dense, intertwined stems make cross country travel very tedious. Mountain Laurel blooms at the end of May. What is that pretty pink/purple blooming tree I am seeing on the interstate? Well, you know the old saying “it depends”? In this case, that question depends on when you are traveling the highways. Redbud, Cercis canadensis, blooms in late March to early April and is one of our first native blooming trees of the season. If you are visiting our area in later in the spring, late April to early May, the purplish blooming tree you are seeing is Princess-Tree, Paulownia tomentosa. Unlike the Redbud, Princess Tree is not native to this area, although it is still colorful. This tree blooms around the end of May. Princess-Tree can quickly grow to as much as 60 feet and is not at all demanding as to moisture or soil. Th
