KALMIA latifolia

Commonly known as Calico bush, Mountain laurel

Calico bush with waxy pink flowers
Further Reading....
  • Evergreen
    Oval to elliptic-lance-shaped, glossy, dark-green leaves to 12cm (5in) long.
  • Shades of pink
    All shades of pink through to Carmine (red)
  • Striped, Veined or Multicoloured
  • Height
    3m (10ft)
  • Spread
    3m (10ft)
  • Tall Shrub
    Dense, bushy shrub. Produces flowers, 2-2.5cm (¾-1in) across, in large clusters 8-10cm (3-4in) or more across
  • Hardy - very cold winter
    Hardy in all of UK and northern Europe. Plant can possibly withstand temperatures down to -20°C (-4°F)
  • Full sun
    Where soil remains reliably moist.
  • Partial shade

KALMIA latifolia

 
Estimated availability autumn 2024 Any time SEPT-DEC - Not yet confirmed. Could be any time between September and December.
Large £27.50 each 
Delivery Information Estimated availability autumn 2024 Any time SEPT-DEC

 

  • Additional Features
    Good to know
    Wildlife plant - nectar and pollen for insects.
    Medicinal properties
    Pests & Diseases
    None
    Place of origin
    Eastern USA.
    Resistant to honey fungus
    These plants have little or few problems with honey fungus.
  • Flower Shape
    Bowl-shaped
    Or cup-shaped.
  • Garden Location/Conditions
    Border
    Suitable for a shrub border
  • Hardiness
    Fully hardy
  • Leaf margin
    Entire
    (see photos above)
  • Leaf shape
    Elliptic
    (see photos above)
    Lanceolate
    (see photos above)
  • Seasonal Interest
    Summer
  • Soil Conditions
    Acid / ericaceous loving
    Fertile moist well-drained soil
    Humus-rich. Mulch annually with leaf mould in spring.
  • Toxic - Category C
    Harmful if eaten
    People and pets, i.e. cats, dogs, rabbits, rodents, tortoises
  • Wildlife
    Bee friendly
    Rabbit Resistant
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
3m (10ft)
Tall Shrub - guide for size not form Average Person
  3m (10ft)
 

Buy Varieties of KALMIA latifolia

KALMIA latifolia 'Bridesmaid'

KALMIA latifolia 'Bridesmaid'

Calico bush, Mountain laurel

bright pinkish flowers

 
Small
Gift Wrapping available on this plant - UK Delivery Only Gift-wrapping available
£14.50 each 
Gift Wrapping available on this plant
Large
£35.00 each 
Notify me when this plant is available to order
Estimated availability autumn 2024 Any time SEPT-DEC - Not yet confirmed. Could be any time between September and December.
KALMIA latifolia 'Carousel'

KALMIA latifolia 'Carousel'

Calico bush, Mountain laurel

white flowers heavily marked with bright red-purple inside

 
Small
Gift Wrapping available on this plant - UK Delivery Only Gift-wrapping available
£14.50 each 
Gift Wrapping available on this plant
Large
Gift Wrapping available on this plant - UK Delivery Only Gift-wrapping available
£35.00 each 
Gift Wrapping available on this plant
KALMIA latifolia 'Minuet'

KALMIA latifolia 'Minuet'

Calico bush, Mountain laurel

white flowers with a deep red band inside

 
Small
Gift Wrapping available on this plant - UK Delivery Only Gift-wrapping available
£14.50 each 
Gift Wrapping available on this plant
Large
Gift Wrapping available on this plant - UK Delivery Only Gift-wrapping available
£35.00 each 
Gift Wrapping available on this plant
 AWARD
KALMIA latifolia 'Olympic Fire'

KALMIA latifolia 'Olympic Fire'

Calico bush

large red buds open to pink flowers. Wavy-edged leaves

 
Small
Gift Wrapping available on this plant - UK Delivery Only Gift-wrapping available
£14.50 each 
Gift Wrapping available on this plant
Large
Gift Wrapping available on this plant - UK Delivery Only Gift-wrapping available
£35.00 each 
Gift Wrapping available on this plant
KALMIA latifolia 'Ostbo Red'

KALMIA latifolia 'Ostbo Red'

Calico bush, Mountain laurel

red buds and pale pink flowers

 
Small
Gift Wrapping available on this plant - UK Delivery Only Gift-wrapping available
£14.50 each 
Gift Wrapping available on this plant
Large
Gift Wrapping available on this plant - UK Delivery Only Gift-wrapping available
£35.00 each 
Gift Wrapping available on this plant
KALMIA latifolia 'Snowdrift'

KALMIA latifolia 'Snowdrift'

Calico bush, Mountain laurel

smallish pure white flowers

 
Small
Gift Wrapping available on this plant - UK Delivery Only Gift-wrapping available
£14.50 each 
Gift Wrapping available on this plant
Large
Gift Wrapping available on this plant - UK Delivery Only Gift-wrapping available
£35.00 each 
Gift Wrapping available on this plant
KALMIA latifolia 'Zebulon'

KALMIA latifolia 'Zebulon'

Calico bush, Mountain laurel

palest pink, almost white flowers with a delicate deep pink ring at the centre

 
Small
£14.50  
Large
Gift Wrapping available on this plant - UK Delivery Only Gift-wrapping available
£35.00 each 
Gift Wrapping available on this plant

Useful extras...

Fertilisers & Feeds - Vitax
Q4 Pelleted Fertiliser
A useful fertiliser suitable for use on a wide variety of plants. Q4 provides all the nutrients and trace elements essential for vigorous growth, abundant flowering and ripening of fruit.
3 options from £6.00

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Afterplant - Grow Your Own
AFTER PLANT GROW YOUR OWN seaweed is ready to use liquid concentrate that was specially formulated be used on all edible plants.
Only £8.00

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Afterplant - Tomatoes
AFTER PLANT TOMATO FEED Liquid Concentrate with Bio stimulant is a high potash liquid concentrate containing seaweed extract, plant derived amino acids and other nutrients specifically formulated to benefit tomatoes and greenhouse plants.
Only £8.00

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi
Recommended by the RHS. Contains Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi. Suitable for all trees and shrubs (except rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers, cranberries and blueberries)
3 options from £3.00

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Rootgrow Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi
This specially adapted Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi will boost the growth of acid-loving plants like rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers and blueberries. It contains ericoid and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which are found in poor acidic soils where ericaceous plants naturally grow.
Only £7.50

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
All-purpose Seaweed Stimulant
All-purpose organic concentrated seaweed feed that is a ready to use, derived from sustainable harvested kelp, that can be used on all outdoor and indoor plants, except acid loving plants. Perfect used in conjunction with Rootgrow™.
Only £7.50

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