Kalmia polifolia
Kalmia polifolia
Kalmia polifolia
Kalmia polifolia
Kalmia polifolia
Bog Laurel, Eastern bog Laurel, Swamp Laurel, Glaucous Kalmia
healthy plant but weak appearance, I hope for good growth, see you next year
mathieu, 30/09/2022
Back-to-school special offer!
Get €10 off for every €50 you spend! And get up to €40 off on a single order.
How does it work?
1. Shop your favourites
Add your favourite plants to your basket. For every €50 you spend (excluding delivery charges, store credit and the plastic-free option), you’ll receive a €10 voucher.
€50 spent = €10 voucher
€100 spent = €20 voucher
€150 spent = €30 voucher
€200 spent = €40 voucher
2. Place your order
Once your basket reaches one of the spending thresholds, place your order. You can even choose your delivery date!
3. Receive your voucher
As soon as your order has been shipped, you’ll receive an email containing your personal voucher code and its value.
4. Use it on your next order
Your voucher is valid for 90 days from the date you receive it. It can be used once only, on a new order worth at least the value of the voucher, excluding delivery charges.
Please note: Vouchers can be combined with other offers, but cannot be split or refunded.
Home or relay delivery (depending on size and destination)
Important: You may be charged customs duties by your country’s customs authorities upon delivery.
Schedule delivery date,
and select date in basket
This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty
More information
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.
Does this plant fit my garden?
Set up your Plantfit profile →
Description
Kalmia polifolia, the Andromeda leaf Kalmia, is a delightful little North American bush which grows in moist and acidic soils. In late spring, this spreading shrub covers itself in clusters of cup-like flowers which vary from intense purplish pink to pale pink. These abundant flowers, both bright and very cheerful, create a very pretty gradient of colour. Its small dark foliage, shiny and tough, highlights the flowers and remains decorative throughout the year. Place it in semi-shade, in flower beds, rockeries or even in pots on the patio.
Kalmia polifolia is much less known than its relation Kalmia latifolia. This botanical species originates from Canada, as well as New England and the Great Lakes region in the United States. Its natural habitat consists of damp and shaded places such as peat bogs and peaty forests. It is an evergreen shrub of modest dimensions, with a spreading habit of fairly slow growth, not exceeding 60 cm (23.6 in) in height or 1 m (3 ft 4 in) in spread. Its sparsely branched trunk gives it a somewhat loose habit. The dark glossy green evergreen foliage, with a whitish underside is composed of small, tough, thick leaves with margins almost rolled in on themselves. They are arranged in an opposite manner on the branches. The flowers are abundant and quite spectacular in May-June. At the ends of the branches are small clusters (corymbs) of 8 to 12 small flowers which are 1 to 2 cm (0.4 to 0.8 in) wide, lilac-pink in colour and patterned. Each flower forms a 5-sided bell-shaped corolla. Flowers do not all bloom at the same time, the corymbs display a lovely colour gradient between the surprisingly geometric 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 all winter.
Kalmias are unfairly overlooked in comparison with rhododendrons or azaleas. Their flowers are a delight, they are particularly hardy heathland bushes that should be planted in semi-shade, in moist and humus-rich soil. Very decorative and with limited spread, Kalmia polifolia will work beautifully in the garden where it will enhance all the surrounding plants! It will be the ideal companion for heathland plants (Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Camellias, Heathers, Hydrangeas, Japanese Maples, Magnolias, Andromedas, Cyclamens...) or the Magellan Fuchsia. It will be wonderful in a group of mixed shrubs, in a shaded rockery, added into a perennial bed, around a pond, or even placed on its own. Due to its small development, it is perfectly suited for to be grown in pots, on balconies or patios, provided the soil is always kept moist.
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.
Kalmia polifolia in pictures
Plant habit
Flowering
Foliage
Botanical data
Kalmia
polifolia
Ericaceae
Bog Laurel, Eastern bog Laurel, Swamp Laurel, Glaucous Kalmia
North America
Planting and care
Kalmia latifolia polifolia is extremely hardy and can withstand very low temperatures, below -20 °C. It needs to be planted in a semi-shaded position, in a humus-rich and fertile soil, acidic, moist but well-drained. 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. Liking coolness and good humidity, it 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 polifolia 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.
Planting period
Intended location
Care
Planting & care advice
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
, onOrder confirmed
Reply from on Promesse de fleurs
Recently viewed products
Haven't found what you were looking for?
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.
Shipping country and language
Your country of residence may be:
Your country of residence is:
For a better user experience on our website, you can select:
Your shipping country:
-
Austria
-
Belgium
-
Bosnia & Herzegovina
-
Bulgaria
-
Croatia
-
Cyprus
-
Czechia
-
Denmark
-
Estonia
-
Finland
-
France
-
Germany
-
Greece
-
Hungary
-
Iceland
-
Ireland
-
Italy
-
Latvia
-
Liechtenstein
-
Lithuania
-
Luxembourg
-
Malta
-
Netherlands
-
Poland
-
Portugal
-
Romania
-
Serbia
-
Slovakia
-
Slovenia
-
Spain
-
Sweden
-
Switzerland
Language:
-
French
-
English
-
Spanish
-
Italian
-
German
-
Portuguese
-
Dutch
-
Finnish
My Account
Hello
My wish lists
My cart
Log in / Register
Existing customer?
This form is protected by reCAPTCHA - the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
New customer?
Create an account to track your orders, access our customer service and, if you wish, make the most of our upcoming offers.