Rhododendron arborescens or Sweet Azalea: This species has white to blush pink flowers with red stamens, and a very strong fragrance. It blooms in late spring to early summer and individual flowers measure 1.5 to 2 inches. It has a wide distribution in the eastern United States, but can usually be found growing near streams and moist areas. Zone 4 to 8.

Rhododendron bakeri or Cumberland Azalea: Orange to red flowers in a ball truss in summer. Needs protection from the hot summer sun. Height 3 to 8'. Mts. Cumberland Plateau, Blue Ridge (above 3000'), NC, Tenn, and Ky. Zones 5-8.

Rhododendron calendulaceum or Flame Azalea: One of the most colorful and beautiful native shrubs in the Appalachian Mountains. The flowers measure from 1.5 to 2.5 inches across, and come in a wide range of colors from clear yellow, through shades of orange, to brilliant red. This species has a wide variety of distribution from New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio as a northern limits, southward through northern Georgia. Grows 4 to 8 ft. high and wide. Zones 5 to 7.

Rhododendron carolinianum or Carolina Rhododendron: This shrub grows in North and South Carolina and Tennessee. The 3 inches diameter inflorescences vary in color from pale rose to rose and lilac-rose. Zones 5 to 8.

Rhododendron catawbiense or Catawba Rhododendron: Native to the Southern Appalachian Mountains. It is found at higher altitudes like Roan Mountain, Craggy Gardens, and Mt. Mitchell with stunning displays of color when it blooms. The flowers are purple and bloom in late spring.
Grows 6 to 10 ft. high and wide. Zones 4 to 8.

Rhododendron maximum or Rosebay: Also know as white laurel, native to the Appalachian Mountains.This species grows at lower elevations and blooms during the summer, normally found along streams. Flowers are white and it grows 15-20 feet wide in the wild. Nova Scotia to Ontario, south to Georgia and Alabama. Grows 15 to 20 ft. high and wide. Zones 3 to 7.

Rhododendron periclymenoides (nudiflorum) or Pinxterbloom Azalea: Found in the lower Appalachian Mountains, Piedmont and Coastal plains from Massachusetts to north Georgia and Alabama. The white or pink blossoms open in mid spring. The blossoms measure approximately 1 to 1.5 inches across and the stamens are more than twice the length of the corolla tube. Grows 4 to 6 ft. high. Massachusetts to North Carolina and Ohio. Zones 4 to 8.

Rhododendron vaseyi or Pinkshell Azalea: This rare species is found in four mountainous counties of North Carolina. Growing at elevations of 3000 to 5500 feet, plants can be seen in bloom along the Blue Ridge Parkway in early spring. Grows 5 to 10 ft. high. Zones 4 to 8.

Kalmia latifolia or Mountain Laurel: Native to eastern North America. Compact, evergreen shrub, vigorous when young. Height 7-15'. Buds are light pink and white, open to near pure white covering the plant. Zones 5 to 8.

Leucothoe fontanesiana or Dog-Hobble: One of the finest broad leaf evergreens for landscaping. It develops into a graceful, fountain like shrub with long, arching branches.Leucothoe must be place in moist, acid, well drained soils in a shady location. Virginia to Georgia and Tennessee. Zones 5 to 8.