Catawba Rhododendron
Rhododendron catawbiense
Heath Family
The most familiar of the rhododendrons, Catawba is widely cultivated as an ornamental. It has been used to parent the many hybrids of different colors often seen in landscapings. Growing into mounds up to ten feet tall, Catawba will cover large areas on mountain tops and the edges of cliffs. Blooms in May (lowlands) into June on the peaks.
photo-- 24 May 2003, Whiteside Mountain, Jackson Cnty.