Kalmia latifolia Olympic Fire - Mountain Laurel

Kalmia latifolia Olympic Fire is a delightful hardy dwarf bush of heathland, with a bushy and dense habit, and evergreen foliage. In May-June, it adorns itself with a multitude of flower clusters, pink and white, more vividly coloured than most, but just as generous. These thick-textured, somewhat waxy corollas, look like little sugar tulips. It's a bush with a compact habit, with tough, dark glossy green foliage, with a soft character.

Kalmia latifolia, native to the mountains of eastern North America, and also named Mountain Laurel or American Laurel, belongs to the Ericaceae family, like Heather and Rhododendron. This wide-leafed Kalmia Olympic Fire is a small-sized, evergreen shrub, not exceeding 1 meter (3 feet 4 inches) in all directions, and with slow growth. Its well-branched trunk, gives it a bushy, compact and somewhat erect habit. Its evergreen, shiny dark green foliage, with a lighter underside, is composed of small varnished, tough and thick leaves, alternate and lanceolate (like those of Rhododendrons or Laurels), thus guaranteeing very decorative interest all year round. The plant's display is at its peak in early summer, during its very spectacular flowering! Indeed, in May-June, it is completely covered with flowers with very original patterning. Each branch bears terminal clusters (corymbs) of small pink-white flowers, in the shape of 5-sided, very flared, campanulate corollas, 2 to 2.5 cm (0.8 to 1 in) in diameter, bearing 10 stamens housed in the petals. The outside of the petals are dark pink, as are the floral buds. The flowers do not all bloom together, the corymbs present astonishing contrasts between the unopen, veined floral buds and the already blossomed flowers.  After flowering, if they have not fallen, the flowers give way to fruits in the form of brown capsules, which last all winter.

This dwarf Kalmia, unjustly unknown, whose sumptuous flowers are enchanting, is a particularly hardy heathland shrub that should be planted in semi-shade, in a moist and humus-rich soil. Assuredly exquisite, very decorative and uncommon, Kalmia Olympic Fire will work beautifully in the garden, where it will highlight all the surrounding plants!  It can be used in many ways. It will be the ideal companion for ericaceous plants (Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Camellias, Heathers, Hydrangeas, Japanese Maples, Magnolias, Andromedas, Cyclamens...). It will work wonders in 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.

Properties:

Kalmia latifolia is a shrub which is entirely toxic to humans as well as for animals (dogs, cats, sheep, horses) when eaten, including its leaves, flowers, fruits and roots.

However, it is used in homeopathy for pain relief. In the past, its very hard wood was used to make many tools, including wooden spoons, hence its English nickname of Spoonwood.

Anecdote:

The denomination of the Kalmia genus, was chosen by Carl von Linnaeus, in tribute to Pehr Kalm, 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.