Kalmia latifolia
An evergreen shrub native to eastern North America with glossy leaves, a rounded to dense habit, and showy pink-to-white bowl-shaped flowers that bloom in late spring, thriving in cool, moist, well-drained acidic soil with partial shade and suitable for borders, hedges, or woodland garden accents in USDA zones 5–9.
Common Names
Mountain Laurel, Calico Bush, Spoonwood, Ivy Bush, American Laurel, Laurel
Summary
Kalmia latifolia, mountain laurel, is an evergreen broadleaf shrub native to eastern North America, it forms a dense, bushy plant typically 5–15 ft tall and wide, with leathery, glossy leaves and showy clusters of cup-shaped flowers that range from white to pink or rose in late spring to early summer; many forms display pink to white petals with purple markings, and a distinctive pollen-release mechanism causes anthers to snap forward when a bee lands, while evergreen foliage provides year‑round structure and the plant can form dense thickets in the wild. For cultivation, mountain laurel prefers moist, acidic, well-drained soil and tolerates partial shade to some sun, with protection from heavy clay soils and hot, dry sites. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and keep roots cool, water regularly during establishment, and plant 4–6 ft apart in spring after frost. Prune after flowering to shape; propagation is by seed or cuttings, and many cultivars exist for landscape use. It is commonly used in foundation plantings, woodland gardens, and specimen or mass plantings; deer resistant; but all parts are poisonous if ingested, and pests such as leaf spots, borers, lace bugs, and whiteflies may occur, with disease pressure best managed by good cultural conditions.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
5-15 feet
Spread
5-15 feet
Hardiness Zones
Zones 4-9
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally partial shade, tolerates full sun to full shade.
Soil Type
Acidic, well-drained, humus-rich soil with high organic matter, pH 4.5–5.5.
Soil Drainage
Moist, well-drained acidic soil.
Soil pH
4.5-5.5
Bloom Color
Pink to white
Bloom Time
Spring to Summer
Foliage Color
Dark green
Fall Foliage Color
Green
Leaf Lifecycle
Evergreen broadleaf
Growth Rate
Slow growing, about 0.4–1.0 ft per year
Seasons of Interest
Spring and Summer
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Cuttings, Layering
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, other pollinators, birds
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- L.
- Publication
- Sp. Pl. : 391 (1753)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Ericales
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Subfamily
- Ericoideae
- Genus
- Kalmia
Synonyms
Kalmia myrtifolia Kalmia nitida Chamaedaphne latifolia Kalmia latifolia f. obtusata Kalmia latifolia f. alba Kalmia latifolia f. fuscata Kalmia latifolia f. latifolia Kalmia latifolia var. latifolia Kalmia latifolia var. polypetala Kalmia latifolia var. fuscata Kalmia latifolia var. alba Kalmia serotina Kalmia latifolia f. polypetala Kalmia latifolia var. obtusata