(6/29) Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is a showy shrub that is native to eastern North America. This plant was first recorded in America in 1624 and was named after the Finnish explorer and botanist Pehr Kalm. The Cherokee used mountain laurel as an analgesic, placing the leaves on scratches to dull the pain. They also rubbed the bristly edges of the leaves over
the skin for rheumatism ailments.
This shrub is naturally found on rocky slopes and mountainous forest areas. In the southern Appalachians, laurel thickets are referred to as "laurel hells" because it is nearly impossible to pass through one. Governor Gifford Pinchot designated mountain laurel as Pennsylvania’s official state flower in 1933. It is also the state flower of Connecticut.
Mountain laurel is deer resistant. It is toxic to dogs and to grazing animals such as sheep, horses, cattle or goats. A word of caution: do not use the leaves of mountain laurel in place of the leaves of bay laurel, which are commonly used in recipes.
Many different cultivars of mountain laurel are available that offer a variety of bloom colors. Most are 4–6 feet tall, but there are also several dwarf varieties that will reach just 3 feet in height. Mountain laurel is easy to grow in the right environment. It prefers part shade and thrives in cool, rich, acidic soil that is moist but well drained. For best results,
feed the shrubs in spring with a plant food formulated for acid-loving shrubs. Ideally the soil should be kept moist, but once established the mountain laurel has fairly good resistance to drought. It is best to mulch around mountain laurel to help keep the roots cool.
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This shade-loving shrub produces clusters of small flowers in late May to early June. The clusters range from white to pink to deep rose. When the buds burst open in the spring, the branches are virtually obscured by the blooms. The bell-shaped flowers have an unusual way of dispensing
pollen. Their stamens are arched, with the tips held under the rim of the bell. When a bee or other pollinator lands on the flowers, the weight of the insect releases the stamen, which flings up the pollen like a catapult. An added bonus of growing mountain laurel is that butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to its flower clusters.
Mountain laurel is a slow-growing shrub that requires little pruning. A light pruning after it is finished blooming will help keep the shrub full and bushy. Be sure to prune it immediately after flowering because mountain laurel begins to form the buds for next year’s flowers soon after the flowers fade. Cut off the faded flowers promptly so the shrub can focus its
energy on growth rather than seed development. Mountain laurel branches grow more gnarly as the shrub ages. This adds an interesting dimension to the shrub. The glossy leaves make lovely winter decorations. This plant has a high longevity rate and can live up to 100 years!
I have enjoyed mountain laurel in my gardens for several years. From the beautiful showy flowers in the spring, to the habitat for hummingbirds and butterflies, to the glossy green leaves in the winter, mountain laurel provides four seasons of splendor to a garden.
