IME, kalmias do not like heavy shade. They tend to grow sparse and lanky and with few flowers. They would prefer morning sun and afternoon shade and a consistently moist (not wet) soil, so may be challenging to grow amongst the pines and oaks. IOW, if the rhodies did not care for that spot, it is unlikely the mt. laurel will either.

Hardy fuchsias (F. magellanica and their hybrids) would work.

I was just in a botanical garden yesterday and they had a mountain laurel in one of the darkest areas of their shade garden. It was beautiful! I am no expert on them but maybe that info helps you.

@gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9), I honestly don't know why the rhodo didn't survive in that spot! It was originally about 15' to the East of the one that's still there, but over time things changed and I needed to move it. I dug up an 8' area with a shovel, slid it on a tarp, then dug a matching hole and put it in place very carefully... watered it and everything like you all suggested on here, but it just never recovered :-(

I have a fuchsia in a hanging pot that I love, so I'm all about the hardy fuchsia shrub! They completely die down in the winter, though, don't they? That might be a better option to go in front of something larger and evergreen...

@Ang NC_7B, howdy neighbor! LOL I see you're in 7B, I'm in 7A :-)

From everything I'm reading, mountain laurel is OK with deep shade but, like @gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9) said, it would look spindly and not have as many flowers:

https://www.bbg.org/gardening/article/mountain_laurel

After I've cut back trees on the Western side of this area, I don't know that my area is really "deep shade" anymore. I'm tempted to try it and find out, anyway! They're close to $100 at Lowes, but if it dies within a year then at least I could take it back.

I wonder how you might like a really fragrant summer blooming large shrub/small tree like one of the evergreen selections of Magnolia virginiana...

I love what I'm seeing!

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=mavi2

12-20' tall, though... oof!

I could see having one in each corner, though; one in the location of the dead rhodo, and another on the right side of the picture behind the other rhodo. It's not too late to have the tree you see at the far right (behind the white pine covered in ivy) removed, that should let in enough sunlight for that corner...

Take a look at more information about Magnolia virginiana, and don't settle for one source. You live in "the horn of plenty" as far as horticultural resources in North Carolina, and there are outstanding display collections within a short drive in almost every direction. I will include a couple links on more reading, and I will advocate for a selection like Magnolia virginiana 'Tensaw'.

https://www.magnoliasociety.org/resources/Journal/Images/1986-2011_ISSUES_41-90/ISSUE%2085_07-19_ON%20THE%20TRAIL%20OF%20MAGNOLIA%20VIRGINIANA%20A%20VISIT%20TO%20WESTERN%20TENNESSEE%20AND%20THE%20CENTRAL%20GULF%20COAST_PETER%20J.%20ZALE.DANIEL%20STRUVE.pdf

https://garden.org/thread/view/150508/Magnolias---henry-hicks-little-gem/

"I have a fuchsia in a hanging pot that I love, so I'm all about the hardy fuchsia shrub! They completely die down in the winter, though, don't they? That might be a better option to go in front of something larger and evergreen..."

Depending on which cultivar you select, hardy fuchsias will maintain a proper woody framework just like other shrubs. One I planted in a previous garden was a good 8' tall. But they have varying degrees of hardiness depending on breeding and some do die back over winter rather significantly and should be cut back hard in spring after they show signs of new growth.

What I like about these plants is they are versatile in their placement (can take a lot of sun to a lot of shade), are relatively drought tolerant once established, the hummingbirds love them and they have a very long bloom season - in my garden from June to November or December. And so far, the deer have never shown an interest in them :-)

I will advocate for a selection like Magnolia virginiana 'Tensaw'.

@ViburnumValley central KY Bluegrass z6, that sounds great, but I can't find many pictures of it mature! On paper it sounds right, though... dwarf-ish, evergreen, full shade, all good :-)

But worse than not finding pictures, I can't find it to buy! I called the local nurseries and they had no idea what I was talking about. Googling buy "tensaw" magnolia doesn't find anything, either, just articles about it.

Any suggestions on an online source where I could order them immediately? It's getting to be kinda late for tree planting :-O

@gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9), I think that you and I talked about those before! I haven't found them locally, either, but being deer resistant and showy makes me think they would work great in my front yard rather than the back yard.

@Jason, zone 7A, near Greensboro NC You’re near Greensboro? That’s where I am, but I am in 7b. 🤔 The mountain laurel in the photo I shared was taken at the Greensboro Arboretum shade garden just a few days ago.

Mountain laurel is a good choice for that setting, but may be hard to find. Rhododendrons and azaleas are good too.

@Ang NC_7B, I'm actually in Wilkesboro, so about an hour West of Greensboro. But nobody on here knew where Wilkesboro was, so, I just say "near Greensboro".

I don't think there ARE any nearby cities in 7a that people would know! Greensboro, Winston, and Hickory are all 7b, and Boone (an hour North) is 6b. I guess that Wilkesboro is the biggest in 7a NC :-O

The only real difference between 7a and 7b, though, is that 7a gets slightly colder in the Winter.

I'm going to have to make a trip to see the Arboretum, it sounds inspiring!

@bengz6westmd, I bought a Mountain Laurel at the local nursery 2 years ago, but it didn't survive the Winter. In retrospect, nothing I've ever bought from that nursery has survived! So nowadays, I mostly buy from Lowes so that it has a guarantee. I hate choosing big box over a small business, but I hate wasting my time and money slightly more :-/

Lowes has neither Mountain Laurel nor Tensaw Magnolia right now, though :-(

@Jason, zone 7A, near Greensboro NC I know Wilkesboro well! I'm a real estate agent in the Greensboro/Winston/High Point areas but our broker in charge is based out of Wilkesboro. I staged Zach Galifianakis's childhood home in N Wilkes a few months back, so I definitely have my fair share of visits out that way. Yes, you run just a tad colder over there but not by much.

Is the local nursery you are referring to Red's? I have never been in but am always intrigued by it when I drive passed on the highway. It looks awesome!

No, not Reds...

I hate to publicly blast a small business, I don't want to hurt anybody :-/ How do I send a message on here? I'd be OK sending it to you privately.

@Jason, zone 7A, near Greensboro NC Feel free to message me about it, your story has me curious.