Kalmia latifolia
If you are lucky enough to visit the Blue Ridge Mountains in recent May when the unfounded mountain laurel blossom , you are in for a spectacular show .
It has been several year since I moved from western North Carolina up to Vermont , but when outpouring comes around I still pine for mountain laurel wreath blooming time of year in the Smokies .
Fortunately for me , it is potential to play this incredible sight in the dwelling house garden .
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scan on to learn all about raise mount bay wreath in the landscape painting .
What You’ll Learn
With beautiful evergreen plant foliage and spectacular springtime display of bloom , quite a little laurel wreath can take any landscape aim to the next level .
It is perfect for borders , backdrops , and living hedging .
If you live inUSDA Hardiness Zones5 - 9 , you’re able to easily raise mountain laurel in your garden .
This plant should not be confused withTexas mountain Stan Laurel , Dermatophyllum secundiflorum , a penis of the pea class .
Cultivation and History
Mountain laurel wreath are aboriginal to the eastern United States . These woody shrubs belong to the Ericaceae family , and they are related to toblueberries , rhododendron , andazaleas .
K. latifoliahas been cultivated since the early 18th hundred , at which time it was bring in to England as an ornamental plant for flower garden .
Around 80 cultivar have since been developed , many originating in the 1960s at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station by Dr. Richard A. Jayes , a horticulturalist devote to study stack laurel wreath .
These beautiful shrubs are famous for their clusters of pink or livid efflorescence with small distinct markings . They blossom in late spring .
Perhaps best sleep together for develop wild en masse along the Blue Ridge Parkway in the southern Appalachians , this attractive bush can be get grow in thickets on jolty mountain slopes and timberland edges all along the eastern US from northern Florida all the way up to southern Maine .
It is even recognize as the country flower in both Connecticut and Pennsylvania .
While great deal laurel can rise to an impressive 30 fundament or more in the wild , these shrubs commonly do n’t exceed 10 pes in culture .
mind , all parts of the plant are poisonous , so take tutelage with children and pets if you are develop this species .
Propagation
Mountain laurel can be propagate in a identification number of ways , let in by seed and from cuttings . But the cognitive operation is slow , and many people favour to buy this industrial plant from a nursery .
From Seed
Mountain laurel plants have bantam semen that are encased in pods , each containing between 300 and 700 seed . You may sometimes be able to find ejaculate at a baby’s room , or you’re able to easily take in them yourself .
Once the heyday have wither and the seed pods developed , cut them off and dry them in a newspaper publisher suitcase for a few hebdomad until they can be bring down open well to hit the seed .
These seeds germinate well if cold stratify , so lay in them in the refrigerator in a plastic old bag enwrap in a moist newspaper publisher towel for about two month to begin .
Next , spit several seed in two to four - inch pots satiate with peat and sprinkle a very light covering on top . Seeds demand light for sprouting , so put the potunder grow lightsor somewhere with available natural light .
Mist on a regular basis and keep pots around 75 ° F . Seeds should evolve in around 30 day . Once seedlings emerge , thin to one seedling per dope .
Continue to monitor and keep them moist . This is a slow process . Seedlings should be kept inside to continue to originate for a full grow season , until root are well established .
From Cuttings
It is also possible to grow mountain laurel from cutting . This may be a good option if you already have one industrial plant produce and require to chintzily clone it to make a larger eyepatch .
Start by taking six to eight - inch cutting from level-headed current year growth . This could be in early fountain , or between August and December , depending on the climate .
withdraw all but the top two leaves , dip cuttings in rooting endocrine powder , and then embed in four - inch tummy fill up with adequate part perlite , coarse detergent builder ’s sand , andpeat moss .
works just deeply enough so the cut will stand without backing . piddle until moist .
you may breed the containers with tented plastic bags to retain wet , just be sure to remove these regularly to piddle and mist the leaves .
Cuttings should be kept warm at 75 ° F , moist , and out of verbatim sun until take root , which can take four to six month .
Rooted cuttings can be planted outside once the base are well established . Plant out in the spring after the jeopardy of hoarfrost has passed .
From Seedlings/Transplanting
After all peril of frost has hap , dig out a trap two or three times the width of the solution , and mix an inch or two of compost into the hole .
Set the shrub in the cakehole so the crown ends up more or less higher than flat coat grade . replenish the hole with soil , water once about halfway through , and again once it is wholly fill in .
Add a wooden-headed three or four - inch layer of pine needles or bark mulch to help to mold the soil temperature and retain moisture , leaving a few inches simple around the crown .
If plant several bush in one area , you may apply a garden fork or till tool to untie about six to 12 inches of soil and integrate a few inches of compost into the integral bed . quad plant life five to 10 foot aside .
How to Grow
Similar to azaleas and rhododendrons , mint laurel requires cool , moist , well draining , acidic soil amended withcompost .
It is good to avert planting in heavy clay grunge . If you be given to have consequence with drainage , consider found in raised beds to cut the risk of rot .
Soil pH should be somewhere between 4.5 and 5.5 . If the pH is too eminent , try working some peat moss or finished compost into the top six inches of soil .
rip up leaves , pine needles , compost , andcoffee groundscan all help to lower soil pH.
If you are unsure about the grime acidity , regard using a pH testing kit to test it . You canlearn all about land testing here .
While mountain laurel will grow in a range of light condition , it does near in part tint or dappled sunlight . shiny sun could scorch the leaf and full shade may suppress efflorescence production .
Mountain laurel has shallow roots and ask frequent watering until established . During the first yr of increase , fresh planted shrubs should welcome an inch or two of water every workweek .
It is also recommended to enforce a thick mulch such as pine needles , chopped bark , or wood chips to help retain wet in the soil between watering .
keep off overhead watering as much as possible to decrease risk of disease .
These shrubs are solid and do n’t typically take much supererogatory alimentation . It is good not to over fertilize this works , as an surplus of food could encourage growing of foliation at the expense of blooming .
Personally , I prefer to meliorate the garden bed with invigorated compost each time of year .
If using a commercial fertilizer , select one contrive for sulfurous loving plants . Apply at a tail durability , feeding only once per season in the spring .
Growing Tips
Pruning and Maintenance
While not often needed , it is helpful to prune occasionally to remove dead or damaged branch and to increase flow of air .
Prune just after inflorescence , before new bud have a chance to form . utilize sterile garden shears to take away damage , morbid , or thwart offshoot .
hatful laurel can abide heavy pruning , just be certain never to remove more than a third of the plant at a clip .
Deadheading flowers once they fadewill also help plants to concentrate Department of Energy on growth rather than ejaculate maturation , and will consequently meliorate next year ’s flower display .
Cultivars to Select
wad laurel is available in a extensive variety of cultivar to fit any landscape gardening need . It can be found in a range of sizes and colors , typically featuring spectacular showy flowers and shiny evergreen plant leaf .
You will likely be capable to find young shrubs at your local nursery , but if not you’re able to certainly find them online as well . Here are a few of my favorite :
Elf
A pop cultivar , this semi - dwarf grows just three feet tall and all-embracing , and features pink bud open to spectacular clusters of pale pink flowers with white overtones , and long minute benighted light-green foliage .
Its compact size of it and small foliage makes it an ideal pick for group plantings , especially in areas with partial tincture .
Minuet
This thick yet impressive cultivar grows only 36 inches magniloquent and across-the-board .
It sport dark green foliage and three to four - column inch clusters of white and pink flowers with bold crimson ring that bloom from belated spring to early summer .
‘ Minuet ’
Its succinct sizing make believe it a perfect choice for a low hedge or a woodland prime garden .
Spring Hill Nurseries has live bush in 2.5 - dry quart potsavailable for leverage from Home Depot .
Peppermint
Another telling variety , this shrub is characterise by pinkish flower buds which open up to assume wan pinkish flush with dark red stripes from the plaza to the tabu petal , giving them the unique appearance of a peppermint confect .
This full size bush turn up to 10 feet tall .
Pink Charm
This evergreen bush has spreading branches holding dense , rich immature foliage and rich pinkish flowers which attract bee , butterflies , and woodland birds .
matured bush can reach up to 10 feet tall and blanket . This cultivar does well in fond to full shade and make a majuscule hedgerow bush .
‘ pinkish Charm ’ is uncommitted as a potted shrubfrom Green Promise Farms via Amazon .
Managing Pests and Disease
While these are stout shrub with some natural chemical substance aegis , they are still susceptible to a few pests and disease .
Herbivores
Since these shrub contain glycosides , which are toxic to many animals , damage from herbivores is minimum . Rodents may feed on root tissue during the winter , especially if mulch is pressed up against the crown .
cervid seldom cause terms , though you may find them occasionally nibbling on the leaves in the wintertime when other intellectual nourishment is scarce .
Insects
Keep an eye out for mark of a few common pests . As long as you live what to look for , you should be able-bodied to keep insect under command before they can do meaning legal injury .
These rough-cut pest ( Stephanitis pyrioidesandS. rhododendri ) are small straight bugs that suck in sap from the foliage , causing leaf discoloration .
Luckily , lacing bugs are light to espy and can be hit manually or by hosing the leaves off on a regular basis with a unassailable watercourse of water .
If infestations become large , spray foliage with neem oil is an effective treatment .
Find point on controlling lacing germ here .
The belittled , sick larvae ofSynanthedon rhododendricause hurt to subdivision by bore holes into the bow where they then overwinter .
You may detect small mint of sawdust where holes have been made .
You may be able-bodied to vote out them by sticking a knife or a nail into their yap , but staunch with significant damage should be removed and destroyed . Do not place pathologic stems in compost piles .
The larvae ofOtiorhynchus sulcatusattack the root while grownup bugs provender on the leaves , induce yellowing of foliage , and eventual perish off of leaves and branches .
To transfer weevil from the leaves , lay a tarp down at the root of the plant , shake off the branch , and roll up the fallen insects .
you’re able to alsosprinkle diatomaceous earthon the soil around the crown to kill the larva .
These dirt ball ( Tetraleurodes mori ) live on the undersurface of the leaf , sucking sap from the leaves . In big numeral , they can cause leaf to yellow and drop from the plant .
A secure current of waterfrom the hosecan rap whiteflies from the plant . you’re able to also spray the underside of leaf with insecticidal soap or neem oil if infestations become enceinte .
Read more about whitefly control here .
Disease
There are also a couple of fungal diseases to watch out for . Maintaining plants ’ preferred growing term will significantly reduce the jeopardy of infection .
This fungal disease is due to a figure of different pathogens in theCercosporagenus that grow spotting on foliation . as luck would have it it does n’t usually do foresighted term legal injury if deal .
Leaf spot is triggered by overcrowding in shady areas with poor drain , and can be easily forefend with secure produce condition .
Avoid overhead lacrimation , rake up and toss away of descend leave-taking , and prune to remove diseased foliation .
Spores of the fungusBotryosphaeria dothideaenter the plant life through damage areas such as pruning combat injury , causing leaves to curl downward and circular cankers form on flora tissue , ultimately leading to limb die off . Cankers generally infect one branch at a time .
Plants under tension from warmth , drouth , damage , or overcrowding are most susceptible , so avoiding these condition will greatly slenderize the risk of disease .
do it by pruning and throw away of infected branches . Prune six to eight column inch below each pestilence , prepare sure to sanitize pruners between each swing to avoid spread the contagion .
This soilborne disease cause by the water mold ( oomycete),Phytophthora sojae , often occurs in fuddled conditions with badly draining soil .
symptom include yellowing and wilting leave accompanied by easy rot on theme , eventually do flora death .
Improving drainage and avoiding overwatering can help to avoid rot .
Best Uses
Mountain laurel wreath has many uses in the garden landscape painting .
Not only does it bring home the bacon a salient floral show each outflow , but since the foliage stays green year round , it can add a welcome splash of color when other plants have died back for the wintertime .
This also makes it a great choice for living hedges , woodland gardens , and the back of perennial garden beds .
With many cultivars available in a range of mountains of sizes , there is a place for this stunning shrub in gardens with child or small .
Quick Reference Growing Guide
This One’s a No Brainer
A low maintenance bush with spectacular showy flower and attractive leafage throughout the year – what ’s not to love about mountain laurel ?
You definitely wo n’t regret adding a patch of these beautiful shrubs to your landscape painting .
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About
Heather Buckner
