Kalmia procumbens

Common Names

Alpine Azalea, Trailing Azalea

Summary

Alpine azalea is a prostrate, evergreen dwarf shrub forming low mats up to about 10 cm tall, with opposite, leathery leaves 3–8 mm long and revolute margins, and clusters of small pink to white bell-shaped flowers in terminal inflorescences of 2–6 that bloom from June to August; it grows in dry to moist subarctic, arctic, and alpine tundra habitats from 0–2500 m, with circumpolar distribution including Greenland, Alaska, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Washington, and is not endemic to North America.

In cultivation, it is grown in rock crevices with a favorable water regime or in an alpine house on eastern slopes, tolerates poorly drained soil, and benefits from shading in summer; propagation is by seed sown in spring (germination 3–6 months at 13–18°C), cuttings in late summer to fall, or layering in spring; garden uses include ground cover, banks and slopes, and rock gardens, offering a dwarf, mat-forming evergreen habit with decorative pink to white flowers and generally low maintenance.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3-6 inches

Spread

2-12 inches

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade.

Soil Type

Acidic, well-drained soil, pH 4.5–6.0, moist, peat- or humus-rich soil

Soil Drainage

Moist, well-drained soil

Soil pH

4.5–6.0, acidic soil

Bloom Color

Pink

Bloom Time

Summer

Foliage Color

Green on top, white underneath, dark glossy green, evergreen

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Moderate

Seasons of Interest

Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts other pollinators