Mountain Laurel

All About Mountain Laurel

Mountain laurel, an evergreen shrub or small tree native to the region, thrives in various habitats, including rocky woods, mountain slopes, and acidic forests. Growing 6 to 10 feet tall as a dense shrub, it occasionally reaches 32 feet on slopes. Known for its striking spring-to-early-summer blooms, showy buds, and attractive foliage, it adds year-round beauty to gardens. Best grown in partial shade with cool, well-drained, acidic soils, it requires mulching for moisture and light pruning after blooming to encourage growth. Ideal for native, butterfly, or pollinator gardens, mountain laurel is a resilient and ornamental addition to naturalized landscapes.

Benefits of Mountain Laurel

Evergreen shrub/tree
Attracts pollinators
State flower of Connecticut
Tolerates varied light
Best in partial shade
Prefers acidic soils
Low-maintenance plant

Landscaping

Landscape Location

Coastal
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Recreational Play Area
Woodland

Resistance To Challenges

Compaction
Deer

Leaves

Leaf Color

Green

Leaf Width

< 1 inch

Leaf Type

Simple

Leaf Description
The Mountain Laurel has glossy, leathery, evergreen leaves, 2" to 5" long, dark green above and yellow-green below. The leaves are typically alternate but can occasionally be opposite or whorled, with new growth appearing yellow-green before aging and falling off.

Cultural Conditions

Light

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)

Soil Texture

High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky

Soil Drainage

Good Drainage
Moist
Occasionally Dry

Flowers

Flower Color

Pink
Purple/Lavender
White

Flower Bloom Time

Spring
Summer

Flower Description
Flowers bloom in terminal clusters from late April to July, covering the shrub for weeks. Each cup-shaped, five-sided flower ranges from rose to white with purple markings inside the corolla.

Stem

Stem Color

Brown/Copper
Green
Red/Burgundy

Stem Is Aromatic

Stem Description
Stems are sympodial and initially bronze and sticky. As they mature, they turn red, green, or brown and become crooked and gnarly. In older stems, the epidermis and gray-brown bark cracks to reveal lighter colors. The pith is solid and light green.

Attributes

Genus

Kalmia

Family

Ericaceae

Life Cycle

Woody

Wildlife Value
It provides winter cover. Hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators are attracted to the flowers. Although the foilage is toxic to domestic livestock, white-tailed deer browse the leaves and twigs during the winter and early spring.

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