How to Landscape With Mountain Laurel
The glossy-leaved evergreen mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is native to the southeastern United States. It tolerates dry sites and mild drought, but prefers reliable, but not constant, moisture. This shrub produces showy, multi-petaled flowers that begin as pink buds before opening to white or pink cups. The 1-inch flowers bloom in tight clusters in spring, floating on short, vertical stems above the pointed, oval leaves. Mountain laurel, as a native, is ideal for naturalizing, grows up to 10 feet tall, and is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Determine mountain laurel's use in the landscape. This low-care native is effective when massed or as a single specimen plant, although it may grow too large for foundation plantings. Mountain laurel also naturalizes well and provides cover for wildlife. It is less effective as a privacy screen or hedge, as mature shrubs become open with age.
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Select a planting site in full sun to light shade, and in well-drained soil. Mountain laurel is poisonous; avoid planting sites near grazing animals or curious children. Do not plant it near highly fertilized lawns or flowerbeds.
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Test the soil pH. Take a sample to your local extension office, or purchase a kit from a nursery. Mountain laurels prefer slightly acidic soil. Select another site if soil pH is alkaline, as changing soil pH is difficult, if not impossible, over the large area a mountain laurel requires.
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Dig a planting hole three times as wide as the laurel's container, but only as deep as the rootball. Do not amend the soil. Remove the shrub from the container, loosen bound roots, and set the laurel in the planting hole.
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Firm the excavated soil around the root ball, using any excess to form a watering basin. Mulch to a depth of 2 to 3 inches to retain soil moisture. Water deeply.
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Tips & Warnings
Select another plant with similar characteristics if your soil is alkaline. Ask your local extension office for suggestions.
In colder zones, mountain laurel leaves yellow in winter. Give it partial shade to protect it from winter sun damage.
