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.