Kalmia latifolia Latchmin - Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia Latchmin - Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia Latchmin - Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia Latchmin - Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia Latchmin - Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia Latchmin - Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia Latchmin
Mountain Laurel, Calico Bush, Spoonwood, American Mountain Laurel, Broad-leaved Kalmia
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This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty
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We guarantee the quality of our plants for a full growing cycle, and will replace at our expense any plant that fails to recover under normal climatic and planting conditions.
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Description
Kalmia latifolia 'Latchmin' is a heathland shrub of moderate growth. It produces lovely purplish bells, pink on their opposite side, gathered in clusters and well highlighted against the bright green evergreen foliage. It appreciates acidic, well drained soils, in partial shade, and you can also enjoy it in a pot.
The broad-leaved Kalmia, also known as mountain laurel or American laurel, is a bush from the Ericaceae family, just like rhododendrons and heathers. Originally from the Appalachians, a long mountain range in the northeast of the United States, it loves forest edges and acidic undergrowth rich in leaf or needle litter, in rather humid climates. The mountain laurel has a beautiful evergreen, glossy and lanceolate foliage, indeed vaguely resembling a laurel. At the end of spring, between May and June, the bush is covered with pinkish white buds, like small jewels. These then open to cup-shaped flowers, with 5 fused petals and protruding stamens, gathered in dense corymbs about ten centimetres in diameter. Despite a somewhat "precious" appearance, its origins give it great hardiness, in the order of -20°C (-4 °F).
The 'Latchmin' variety produces many candy pink buds, then flowers whose interior is strongly marked with purple, with a lighter centre and margin. The contrast between the unopened buds and the fully open flowers is particularly pretty. With rather moderate and bushy growth, it will reach about 1.30 m (4 ft 4 in) in height and width after about ten years, perhaps a little more but its growth is not fast.
Like many plants in the family, the Kalmia requires a very acidic to acidic soil, which is moist but well drained (its rather superficial roots hate stagnant water). The substrate must be rich in organic matter and humus, peaty and sandy, and limestone-free as it quickly causes chlorosis (yellowing) of the leaves. Partial sunlight will allow it to flower well, but make sure to protect it from burning sun at the hottest times of the day. You will benefit from laying a thick mulch of leaves at the base of the shrub every year, which will acidify and soften the soil, and retain moisture. All parts of the plant are toxic if ingested.
Create beautiful plant associations with shrubs like Japanese azaleas, Cornus canadensis, a curious ground-covering dogwood, perennials like Rodgersia, Podophyllum peltatum, or even the delicate but robust fern Adiantum pedatum. The Kalmia 'Latchmin' is also easy to keep in a pot, if kept well watered.
Kalmia latifolia Latchmin - Mountain Laurel in pictures
Plant habit
Flowering
Foliage
Planting and care
Originally from the mountains of Eastern North America, Kalmia latifolia is extremely hardy and can withstand very low temperatures, below -20°C (-4 °F). It needs to be planted in a semi-shaded position, in a fertile and humus-rich, acidic, moist but well-drained soil. Plant in spring or autumn, avoiding periods of frost or high heat. Prepare a wide and deep pit, 40 cm (15.7 in) by 40 cm (15.7 in) so that your Kalmia can quickly establish itself. Regular watering in the first few weeks after planting is necessary to keep the soil moist. A mulch at the base of the plant can be beneficial to protect the thin and superficial roots. Each spring, scratch the soil around the base of the plant and top with compost, ericaceous soil and mulch. If the soil is calcareous, it will need to be completely replaced by a mix of ericaceous soil and leaf compost in a large planting pit. The mountain laurel dislikes scorching situations and sweltering summers. It must be placed in such a way that it is shaded during the hottest hours of the day. The mountain laurel dislikes exposure to strong sunlight, especially in case of drought, and ensure regular watering (preferably with rainwater). This summer watering is particularly important since this is when the flower buds form for the following spring. The mountain laurel, liking coolness and good humidity, will thrive in coastal or rainy climates. With its slow growth, it is well suited to pots on a patio or balcony but use a large pot and water well to avoid the soil from drying out. Apart from removing faded flowers, pruning of Kalmia latifolia is hardly necessary. Indeed, it risks damaging the flowers for the following year, as the flower buds form at the ends of the branches. However, it is possible to remove dead wood and carry out a very slight refreshment to maintain a balanced habit.
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Planting period
Intended location
Care
Planting & care advice
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Hardiness is the lowest winter temperature a plant can endure without suffering serious damage or even dying. However, hardiness is affected by location (a sheltered area, such as a patio), protection (winter cover) and soil type (hardiness is improved by well-drained soil).
In temperate climates, pruning of spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, spireas, etc.) should be done just after flowering.
Pruning of summer-flowering shrubs (Indian Lilac, Perovskia, etc.) can be done in winter or spring.
In cold regions as well as with frost-sensitive plants, avoid pruning too early when severe frosts may still occur.
The harvesting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions in USDA zone 8 (France, England, Ireland, the Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...) fruit and vegetable harvests are likely to be delayed by 3-4 weeks.
In warmer areas (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), harvesting will probably take place earlier, depending on weather conditions.
The sowing periods indicated on our website apply to countries and regions within USDA Zone 8 (France, UK, Ireland, Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...), delay any outdoor sowing by 3-4 weeks, or sow under glass.
In warmer climes (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), bring outdoor sowing forward by a few weeks.
The planting period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a (East Coast and Midlands: Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny, Portlaoise). It will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the north-west (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal, Westport), delay planting by 1 to 2 weeks in spring and bring it forward by 1 to 2 weeks in autumn compared to the dates given, preferably choosing periods without strong winds.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (Wicklow Mountains, Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, Connemara, Killarney), it is best to plant in spring (April–May) or autumn (September–October), avoiding periods of waterlogged soil in winter and strong winds, which pose the main risk to newly planted trees in these areas.
The flowering period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a, such as the East Coast and Midlands, including Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny and Portlaoise.
This will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the northwest (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal and Westport), it will be delayed by one to two weeks compared to the given dates, due to stronger Atlantic winds and less spring sunshine.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (the Wicklow Mountains, the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, Connemara and Killarney), flowering will be delayed by two to three weeks. Flowering mainly occurs between May and July, with the limiting factors being less frost and more of the excessive humidity, strong winds and lack of sunshine that are characteristic of these areas.
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