How to Grow and Care for Mountain Laurel

Typically, mountain laurel becomes a thick, spherical shrub with branches that get gnarlier with age. It is a shrub that grows slowly, gaining approximately a foot a year. Although mountain laurel has specific soil requirements, in the appropriate conditions, it is a simple plant to cultivate. It is a suitable blooming shrub for foundation plantings [1], forest gardens, and shaded shrub borders. It complements azaleas and rhododendrons wonderfully.

Common Names	Mountain laurel, ivy bush, spoonwood, calico bush, American laurel
Botanical Name	Kalmia latifolia
Family	Ericaceae
Plant Type	Shrub
Mature Size	5–15 ft. tall, 5–15 ft. wide
Sun Exposure	Partial
Soil Type	Moist, well-drained
Soil pH	Acidic
Bloom Time	Spring
Flower Color	Rose, pink, white
Hardiness Zones	4a–9a (USDA)
Native Area	North America

Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is a remarkable shrub renowned for its stunning bicolored blooms. While most varieties attain a height of four to six feet, there are several charming dwarf cultivars that remain petite at just three feet tall. The European Kalmia Society offers a comprehensive list of cultivars, and here are some of the most beloved selections:

• K. latifolia 'Elf': This cultivar graces your garden with its petite stature, reaching a mere three feet in both height and width. Adorned with elegant white flowers, it's a subtle yet captivating choice.

• K. latifolia 'Minuet': Embracing an exquisite combination of white centers speckled with cherry red markings, surrounded by cherry-red margins, 'Minuet' stands at a dainty three feet in height and width, making it a charming addition to any landscape.

• K. latifolia 'Olympic Fire': This vibrant shrub boasts red-pink buds that unfurl into dark pink blossoms. It achieves a more substantial size, stretching to an impressive 10 feet in both height and width, making a bold statement in your garden.

• K. latifolia 'Peppermint': With petals resembling the swirls of hard peppermint candies, 'Peppermint' is a delightful choice. Its striking red stripes radiate from the flower's center to the edges. While it reaches a towering height of 10 feet, its beauty knows no bounds.

• K. latifolia 'Firecracker': This petite cultivar is a burst of color, standing proudly at just three feet in height. Its intense red-colored buds transform into elegant white blossoms that later blush with a gentle pink hue.

• K. latifolia 'Sarah': 'Sarah' graces your garden with late spring blooms, featuring red buds that unfurl into a rich pink to coral color, adorned with delicate dots on the petals. Although it's a slow-grower, reaching four to five feet in height, it's an ideal choice for creating enchanting hedges.

Typically, mountain laurel becomes a thick, spherical shrub with branches that get gnarlier with age. It is a shrub that grows slowly, gaining approximately a foot a year. Although mountain laurel [2] has specific soil requirements, it is simple to grow. Mountain laurel plants should be planted in cool, wet, well-drained, acidic soil in the spring, after all risk of frost has gone, through early summer. They will withstand full sun but prefer part shade, so plant the bushes four to six feet apart. If at all possible, stay away from windy places, especially in the northern half of the hardiness range.

These bushes shouldn't be planted too deeply. Ensure sure the shrub's crown is not buried, which is the area where its stem and roots converge. Your shrub will probably perish if the crowns are buried because they will rot.

While the shrubs are young, give them plenty of water, and use a layer of wood chips or evergreen bark mulch to keep the soil acidic and wet. Feed the shrubs with a plant food designed for plants that enjoy acid in the spring, such as rhododendron food.

Light

Mountain laurel is highly appreciated because it thrives in partial shade; nevertheless, severe shadow may inhibit flowering and result in leaf blotches. It can withstand direct sunlight; however, the dark green foliage might become yellow.

Soil

These bushes prefer acidic, well-drained, chilly, damp soil (pH 5.0 to 5.5). Wooded regions close to marshy places are where it naturally occurs, although not in moist ground. It does not like dense clay soils. If your soil is thick, think about growing mountain laurel in elevated berms or planters that are filled with a soil mixture that drains effectively.

Water

Water a newly planted mountain laurel every three to four days is necessary for the first few weeks. Give it enough water so that the soil is adequately wet but not drenched. Water it once a week or so for the remainder of the first growth season.

While the soil should ideally constantly be moist, once established, this shrub can withstand droughts rather well, provided the soil doesn't dry out and get too hot from too much sun exposure.

Mountain laurel should be watered every week in the summer and every two to three weeks in the spring if it isn't raining. Until the top several inches of soil feel damp to the touch, water it steadily and deeply.

Thermodynamics and Humidity

The bush will thrive in warm weather if the soil is shaded. Although certain cultivars are a little more resistant to these circumstances than others, they often dislike the high heat and heavy humidity of southern coastal areas.

Fertilizer

This shrub must be fertilized with an acid fertilizer in the spring, preferably for azaleas and rhododendrons. Feeding will promote a more active blossoming. Follow the dosage recommendations on the fertilizer label.

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Mountain laurel is a shrub that grows slowly and needs minimal trimming. You may always remove branches that are dead or damaged. The best time to prune for shaping is in the spring, when after blooming is over. Deadhead spent flower clusters once the blossoms have faded.

Cut back your mountain laurel plants almost to the ground level if they get too tall or gangly for your landscaping plan. This will revive them. When necessary, these hardy bushes can withstand rigorous trimming. Your plants will develop into huge bushes once more in roughly 10 years from stubs only a few inches above the ground.

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Propagating Mountain Laurel is a rewarding and fun activity for any gardening enthusiast. This beautiful evergreen shrub produces clusters of pink, white or purple flowers in late spring and early summer, attracting bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Propagating Mountain Laurel can be done by seeds, cuttings or layering, depending on your preference and availability of materials. Here are some tips and tricks to help you propagate this lovely plant successfully.

Mountain laurel is a beautiful and hardy shrub that can brighten up any garden with its showy clusters of flowers. However, like any plant, it can also suffer from some common pests and diseases that can affect its health and appearance. Here are some of the most frequent problems that mountain laurel owners may encounter and how to deal with them.

• Leaf spot: This is a fungal disease [3] that causes brown or black spots on the leaves, sometimes with yellow halos around them. It can be prevented by avoiding overhead watering and pruning out infected branches. If the infection is severe, fungicides can be applied to control it.

• Lace bugs: These are tiny insects that suck the sap from the leaves, causing them to turn yellow and drop prematurely. They can be detected by the presence of black specks of excrement on the underside of the leaves. They can be controlled by spraying the plant with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil, or by releasing natural predators such as ladybugs or lacewings.

• Borers: These are caterpillars that tunnel into the stems and branches, causing them to wilt and die. They can be prevented by keeping the plant healthy and stress-free, and by removing any dead or damaged wood. If the infestation is severe, insecticides can be injected into the holes or sprayed on the bark.

• Phytophthora root rot: This is a soil-borne disease that causes the roots to rot and decay, leading to wilting, stunting, and death of the plant. It can be prevented by planting in well-drained soil and avoiding overwatering. If the disease is detected early, fungicides can be applied to the soil to stop its spread.

Are you looking for a beautiful and easy-to-grow flowering shrub for your garden? Look no further than the mountain laurel, a native plant that produces stunning clusters of pink, white, or red flowers in late spring and early summer. Here are some frequently asked questions about this amazing plant.

How often should I water my Mountain Laurel plant?

Mountain Laurel plants prefer moist soil, but it's important not to overwater them. Water the plant once or twice a week, depending on the weather conditions and soil drainage.

When is the best time to prune Mountain Laurel?

Prune your Mountain Laurel plant in early spring, before new growth begins. This will help the plant develop a healthy shape and promote new growth.

How do I prevent pests and diseases from affecting my Mountain Laurel plant?

Mountain Laurel plants are generally disease-resistant and pest-free. However, to prevent any potential problems, ensure proper air circulation around the plant, avoid overhead watering, and remove any dead or diseased branches promptly.

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1. Foundation plantings - Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

2. Mountain laurel - NC State University

3. Fungal disease - U.S. Department of Health & Human Services