If you get a chance, look at Richard Jaynes "Laurel Book". It lists a number of selected species and hybrids that are on the market. The typical wild Kalmia Latifolia has nice bright pink buds then opens to nearly pure white. The cultivars have quite a wide range of colors. Here are a couple rhododendron nurseries that sell Kalmias.

http://www.rarefindnursery.com/ Â Â Â search for Kalmia

http://www.greergardens.com/TREES%20%26%20SHRUBS_H-K.htm    scroll down to Kalmia

Minuet Mountain Laurel (Purple-Spotted White)

13269 - For each offer ordered, get 1 plant.
Price: 1 to 2 - $14.95
3 or more - $13.45

i believe it's my state's state flower :)

gurney's

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.gurneys.com/product.asp?pn=13269&bhcd2=1147375355

So, rhodyman, do you think if I am doing ok with the rhodies and azaleas that I can get a mtn laurel to do for me as well? I planted (as mentioned in an earlier post you replied to) several rhodies and azaleas (and "several = 30 between the two) last summer and fall and they all seem to have done well for me. I had a profusion of bloom about a month ago from them and tons of new growth now. It seems my soil is nice and acidic, which I believe is what they like. My fern beds have always done really well in the soil with no amendments. and I have about 400 ferns. Ferns have been here about 6 years.

Sure, they should do very well for you. There are many that are rated for Zone 5 which would be the safest for you.

My friend tells me that I cant grow frasier firs here because its too hot, he tells me the same about mtn laurels (and rhodies for that matter).....so Im not so much concerned about the cold as the heat... does this sound right to you?

I do baby my plants ALOT as we have very hot dry summers. I rotate watering to 2 different beds (i have 6) every day. So they each get watered at least twice a weeek. We had a drought this winter... I watered anytime the temp was over 35/40.. which it was ALOT. Seems alot of ppl around here lost alot of plants this winter from the dry.

Fraser Firs are grown in the SE USA. Balsam Fir is similar but only grows in New England and doesn't like heat. With a little help, Fraser Firs should be OK.

Here is a link that might be useful: Abies fraseri -- Fraser fir