Kalmia latifolia Elf - Mountain Laurel

Kalmia latifolia 'Elf' is a small mountain laurel, a dwarf form very close to the wild species with its exquisite flowering. Its pale pink buds appear in late spring and bloom into normal-sized white corollas. They are so numerous that they almost mask its evergreen foliage, which is particularly elegant, composed of small dark greenleaves with a matte finish. The American Laurel is a very hardy heathland bush that flourishes in light sun, semi-shade or even shade. It dreads hot and dry climates, naturally preferring mountainous regions. 

The Kalmia latifolia, native to the mountains of eastern North America, also known as Mountain Laurel or American Laurel, belongs to the Ericaceae family, like the Heather and the Rhododendron. This Kalmia Elf , introduced in 1982 in the United States, is one of the first dwarf cultivars derived from this bush. It differs in its modest dimensions, due to very short internodes, and reduced-size foliage, a dwarfism phenomenon that does not affect the size of its flowers.

'Elf' will not exceed 75 cm (29.5 in) in height and 90 cm (35.4 in) in width, and its growth is rather slow. Its well-branched trunk gives it a bushy, spread-out habit. Its evergreen, intense matte green foliage, with a lighter underside, is composed of small, tough and thick leaves, alternate and lanceolate, carried by reddish branches. The plant's display is at its peak in early summer, during its very spectacular flowering! Indeed, in May-June, it is entirely covered with pink buds which look like small meringues which bloom into flowers with a waxy texture, white and veined with purple.  Each branch carries terminal clusters (corymbs) counting up to 180 small flowers in the shape of campanulate corollas with 5 sides, 3 to 3.5 cm (1.2 to 1.4 in) in diameter. Each flower carries 10 white stamens housed in the petals. The flowers do not all bloom at the same time, the corymbs present a gradient between the unopen, veined, pale pink floral buds, and the already bloomed flowers. After flowering, if they have not fallen, the flowers give way to fruits in the form of brown capsules, which last through the winter.

Kalmias are unjustly unknown, perhaps victims of the fame of Rhododendrons. Their flowering is however enchanting, they are particularly hardy heathland shrubs that must be positioned in semi-shade, in a moist and humus-rich soil. Undoubtedly original, very decorative and uncommon, Kalmia Elf will look wonderful installed in the garden, where it will beautifully enhance all the surrounding plants! It can be used in many ways in the garden. It will be the ideal companion to heathland plants (Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Camellias, Heathers, Hydrangeas, Japanese Maples, Magnolias, Andromedas, Cyclamens…). It will look wonderful in the foreground of an informal hedge, in mixed shrub planting, mixed into a perennial bed, around a pond, or even planted as a specimen. Due to its small size, it is perfectly suitable for pots on balconies or patios, provided the soil is kept constantly moist.

Anecdote:

The naming of the Kalmia genus was chosen by Carl von Linnaeus, in tribute to Pehr Kalm, a famous Swedish botanist, who was one of the first to explore the flora in certain parts of North America from 1747 to 1751.

The flower of the Kalmia latifolia is the emblem of the States of Connecticut and Pennsylvania.