A year or so ago I noticed one mountain laurel bush in the former sheep pasture that we pass on our morning walk. Its claim to fame is that it’s the only one I’ve noticed in the neighborhood. You’d think, with a name that has mountain in it, that it would be fairly common here. Not so! On the Blue Ridge Parkway, I think rhododendrons outnumber the laurels.
We had one large mountain laurel beside our driveway on Long Island. It was ten times the size of the scraggly one pictured. There was a road in the next town where laurels lined the street, and if you drove there at peak season, you’d think snowflakes were suspended in the air. Just think! That was only a few feet above sea level! Wouldn’t you think a mountain location could top that??
After taking a photo of neighbor Warren’s scarecrow last week, I noticed a new watering system in his garden. Mr. Crow is watching over a sprinkler mounted on a pole. Leading from it is a green hose going to the little stream (Park Branch).
We can’t see the pump, but it must be inside the blue container. Ingenious! Warren has free water that otherwise would be trying to get to New Orleans.
Mehrling Muse 
Daddy used to rig up stuff like that. Irrigation is uncommon in Alabama, but when he lived in California, it is the only way produce survives, so dad took that technique back with him. Since then it is seen; here and there. Because of how often it rains, it still is rarely necessary. You’re right about the mountain laurel. I know that when I was there for a visit, we spotted one on a hike in the woods. Mentioning it to one of dad’s friends, she went and dug it up and put it in her yard. It was a rare find and it now flourishes in her yard.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I like mountain laurel and wish we had more here.
LikeLike
I’ve never seen anything like that. Clever. Hope New Orleans can get over the loss.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL. I sometimes stand on the bank of Jonathan Creek and imagine some of that warer flowing by my dad’s farm in TN near the Mississippi River and on to the Golf of Mexico.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the stream and the new irrigation system- seemed very practical. Why the scarecrow? And why New Orleans?
Just thinking out loud, Anne. The laurel bush is beautiful. What a lovely pink girly colour.
Susie
LikeLiked by 2 people
The scarecrow is to scare off birds so they don’t peck the vegetables.
New Orleans is on the Mississippi River. Water rising here in the mountains will eventually get to the Mississippi and flow to the Gulf of Mexico, going by New Orleans.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I presume the name scarecrow implies that the figure will scare the crows away.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Susie…what about Amphan?Are you or any of your people in the path? Praying for everyone.
LikeLiked by 2 people
What a very pretty bush that is Anne. I haven’t seen one like that before.
Scarecrow Hugs x
LikeLike
Mountain laurel is native to the Eastern part of the US.
xxx Garden Protector Hugs xxx
LikeLike
I don’t do well with mountain laurel, azaleas and rhodies. I’m blaming it on where I live although there are beautiful azaleas and rhodies in other people’s yards. You don’t see many mountain laurels here but up in the mountains you do.
LikeLike
We had wonderful bushes in NY. In NC our inherited azaleas couldn’t wait to die.
I’m glad your mountains have laurels. I must look more closely here and find some more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never seen mountain laurel in real life – it sure is pretty though. We are still lagging sorely behind in color here, though the grass is mighty green. What a great irrigation system, especially for your already-hot days.
LikeLike
It’s not hot here yet. The mountains are cooler than the rest of the state. I’m grateful for that lag.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, a little bit of Spring and not launching right into Summer is nice … you can enjoy your porch that way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I would think the mountain location would definitely top just above sea level. We never know where pretty bushes may unexpectedly thrive!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We saw a lot of the laurel when we visited Birger and Betsy in Atlanta. Pretty.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful laurel, and clever irrigation – proof that you live in the mountains – lucky you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have a very large mountain laurel at the front of our yard abutting the sidewalk. My husband has learned a lot about bringing it back to health with the aid of the Extension service. It had some kind of fungus and was shedding all its leaves. In the winter he strings it with tiny deep blue lights for Christmas and it looks fantastic.
LikeLike
You have a year-round mountain laurel!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. It makes me miss my Oregon daphne a little less.
LikeLike
I haven’t met the Oregon Daphne. We haven’t been to Oregon yet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It has a lovely smell, but seems to need slightly warmer climate than here.
LikeLiked by 1 person