PlantFiles: Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia 'Kaleidoscope'

This particular cultivar needs moist, well drained soil on the acidic side. Water regularly as needed and it can be fertilized in spring. The leaves turn dark green and maintain their deep color through winter. Pink buds appear in early June, followed by a dazzling display of dark fucshia/red with a white corolla. Absolutely breath-taking when in bloom.

I planted this mountain laurel in 1997 as one of the first plantings in my garden at our new home. The first winter it was browsed by deer badly in it's location and had problems recovering. I moved it to a more sheltered location next to the house on the south side where it gets morning sun but is protected from afternoon sun by the corner of the back porch, and receives more moisture than where it was originally.

It seems to flower brilliantly only every other year - but when it does, it's outstanding. My shrub does not appear to want to increase it's size and has stayed at approximately 3'x2' for several years, although the tag said it should grow to 8'x8'. I have not bothered to prune it for several years. At this posting I've had it for 7 years. It's one of those shrubs that you forget you have, until it starts to bloom!