Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia

Hardy to Zone 5
Bloom Time -
Early spring (April - May)
Color - White, pink, red
Foliage - 2" to 5" long dark green glossy leaves
Size - 6' to 15'+ in height
Exposure - Partial shade

On a trip to Asheville, North Carolina a few years ago, I was amazed at the massive specimens of mountain laurel which dotted the mountainous landscape. I unwisely bought about five mountain laurels on that trip and brought them back to languish and die in my garden. One has survived, Bullseye, shown in the photograph, but it doesn't seem to want to grow. Like rhododendrons, mountain laurels enjoy cool summers and thrive in shade or semi-shade in acid soils. A woodland setting would is ideal and keep them watered well during dry periods.

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