Rhododendron

• In the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, there are nine types of shrubs belonging to the Rhododendron genus, according to the National Park Service. As a result, these shrubs, including rhododendrons and azaleas, are an ideal choice for many mountain yards. Some of the plants found in the Smoky Mountains include flame azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum), Catawba rhododendron (Rhododendron catawbiense) and rosebay rhododendron. Rosebay rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum) is the most prevalent flowering shrub found in the Smokies, with large clusters of white blooms appearing from June to August. Most rosebays are found in elevations below 5,000 feet. Catawba rhododendron prefers the higher elevations of East Coast mountain ranges, found above 3,500 feet. With a similar leaf structure to the rosebay, the Catawba blooms with a distinctive purple flower throughout June. The flame azalea offers its growers more choice of bloom color ranging. Common colors include white, peach, orange and red. This flowering shrub can be found throughout the Appalachian mountains, blooming in early May at lower elevations and filling mountain tops with summer color.
  
  

Viburnum

• Several types of shrubs belonging to the Viburnum genus also thrive in moutainous regions, according to J. Klett, L. Vickerman and I. Shonle of Colorado State University. Wayfaringtree virburnum (Viburnum lantana), Nannyberry virburnum (Viburnum lentago), European cranberry bush (Viburnum opulus) and American cranberrybush (Viburnum trilobum) thrive in sunny to partially shaded areas up to elevations of 8,000 feet. The wayfaringtree virburnum features a rounded shape and leather-like leaves. The wayfaringtree foliage is gray-green in the spring and summer, turning a purple-red in the autumn. It blossoms with white flowers that give way to a black, summer berry. The nannyberry is similar to the wayfaringtree and distinguished by its more oval-like shape and darker green foliage. The European cranberrybush and American cranberrybush feature upright, arching branches, maple-like leaves and red berries.
  
  

Cherry

• People often think of cherries in tree form, but there are a few types of cherry shrubs growing throughout the Rocky Mountains. The nanking cherry (Prunus tomentosa) thrives in sunny conditions up to 8,500 feet. This shrub produces peeling bark and features an upright, spreading structure. It features fuzzy, green leaves, pink flowers and red berries. The purpleleaf sand cherry (Prunus x cistena) grows at elevations up to 8,000 feet. It features distinctive purple-red leaves and blooms with light, pink flowers. Unlike the nanking cherry, the purpleleaf produces fruit only rarely, according to Klett, Vickerman and Shonle.
  
  

Juniper

• Juniper shrubs are another group of plants ideal for mountainous regions. Some juniper that thrive at high elevations include creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) and savin juniper (Juniperus sabina). These two plants are ideal for the mountain homeowner looking to add evergreen foliage to the landscape. Creeping juniper is a low-growing plant, featuring blue-green foliage that turns purple in the winter. It thrives at elevations up to 7,000 feet. Savin juniper may be found a bit higher up the mountain, thriving up to 8,000 feet. This larger shrub is still considered evergreen, but some foliage turns brown in the winter.