Kalmia latifolia (Mountain Laurel)

The state flower of Connecticut, Kalmia latifolia (Mountain Laurel), is a broadleaf evergreen shrub covered with abundant clusters of bright pale pink flowers, opening from deeper pink buds and lasting for several weeks in late spring and early summer. Very showy, the blooms are bell-shaped, white to pink with deep rose spots inside, and give way to brown fruits that persist into winter. The quality year-round foliage of oval, leathery, glossy leaves changes from light green to dark green to purple throughout the year and is reminiscent of the leaves of rhododendrons. Native to Eastern North America, Mountain Laurel is one of the most beautiful native flowering shrubs and is well-displayed as an ornamental in many gardens.

• Grows in a dense and bushy rounded shrub, up to 5-15 ft. tall (150-450 cm).
• Winner of the Cary Award, which recognizes plants that are particularly adequate for New England, offer superior landscape appeal, are winter hardy, and are pest resistant.
• Performs best in part shade in moist, acidic, humusy, well-drained soils. Tolerates a wide range of light exposure, from full sun to full shade. Adapts to a range of soils from sandy to shallow, rocky soil and can tolerate generally dry sites. On richer sites, the plant will be more robust and taller.
• Perfect as a specimen plant or massed in shrub borders, cottage gardens, woodlands, or naturalized areas. Great with rhododendrons and azaleas.
• Deer and rabbit resistant
• Remove spent flower clusters immediately blooming
• Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in midsummer
• All parts of this plant are toxic if ingested.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.