Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia
Also listed as Chamaedaphne latifolia, Kalmia myrtifolia
Also known as Calico Bush, Spoonwood, Lambkill
Climate Match for your location
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Mountain laurel is a native evergreen shrub prized for its showy clusters of pink or white flowers in late spring. It thrives in partial shade with acidic soil and makes an excellent choice for woodland gardens and naturalized landscapes.
Why grow it
Mountain laurel offers reliable, long-lived structure in acidic woodland settings where many ornamentals struggle. Its dense, evergreen foliage and consistent flowering make it a more resilient alternative to rhododendrons in sites with poor drainage or root competition from established trees. The compact growth habit suits smaller gardens better than many native understory shrubs.
Watch out for
This plant can take several years to establish a strong root system and may appear dormant or grow slowly in the first season after planting. Soil preparation is critical; transplanting into neutral or alkaline soil typically results in chlorosis and decline regardless of other care. Flower buds may abort in years following very late spring frosts.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Ericaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Mountain laurel is a native evergreen shrub prized for its showy clusters of pink or white flowers in late spring. It thrives in partial shade with acidic soil and makes an excellent choice for woodland gardens and naturalized landscapes.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Mountain Laurel grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Mountain laurel offers reliable, long-lived structure in acidic woodland settings where many ornamentals struggle. Its dense, evergreen foliage and consistent flowering make it a more resilient alternative to rhododendrons in sites with poor drainage or root competition from established trees. The compact growth habit suits smaller gardens better than many native understory shrubs.
Watch out for
This plant can take several years to establish a strong root system and may appear dormant or grow slowly in the first season after planting. Soil preparation is critical; transplanting into neutral or alkaline soil typically results in chlorosis and decline regardless of other care. Flower buds may abort in years following very late spring frosts.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Ericaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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