About Rhododendron catawbiense Michx.
Rhododendron catawbiense Michx. has a number of common names: Catawba rosebay, Catawba rhododendron, mountain rosebay, purple ivy, purple laurel, purple rhododendron, red laurel, rosebay, and rosebay laurel. This Rhododendron species is native to the eastern United States, where it grows mainly in the southern Appalachian Mountains, ranging from West Virginia south to northern Alabama. It is a dense, suckering shrub that typically grows 3 meters (9.8 feet) tall, and rarely reaches 5 meters (16 feet) tall. Its leaves are evergreen, measuring 6–12 cm (2.4–4.7 in) long and 2–4 cm (0.79–1.57 in) broad. Its flowers are 3–4.5 cm (1.2–1.8 in) in diameter, violet-purple, and often marked with small spots or streaks; it blooms from April through June. Its fruit is a dry capsule 15–20 mm (19⁄32–25⁄32 in) long that holds numerous small seeds. The species is named after the Catawba River. Rhododendron catawbiense is cultivated as an ornamental plant, and is popular in both North America and parts of Europe. It is primarily grown for its spring flower display. Outside of its native range, many cultivars and hybrids of this species have been created, including 'Catawbiense Grandiflorum', 'Purple Elegans', 'Roseus Elegans', and 'Grandiflorum'.
