Other Plant Life
Few, if any, areas in the eastern United States possess so great a variety of plants. Altogether, the tree, shrub, and herb varieties total more than 1,300. Botanists have also listed over 1,800 species of fungi, 330 mosses and liverworts, and 230 lichens. The earliest flowers occasionally appear by the close of February in lowland areas, while the witchhazel, latest to bloom, may hold its blossoms into December. Late April finds the spring flowers, including the abundant dogwood, at their blossoming peak; May is best for the mountain laurel; middle June usually finds both the flame azalea and rose-purple rhododendron at their finest; middle July is likely to be the peak of the great white rhododendron’s flowering. Autumn colors are excellent throughout October, with the height of coloration near the end of the month.