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Burncoose Nurseries - part of the Caerhays Estate
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    KALMIA
    KALMIA
    © Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only.
    <
    KALMIA KALMIA KALMIA KALMIA KALMIA latifolia and KALMIA latifolia 'Ostbo Red' © Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only.
    >

    KALMIA

    Commonly known as Calico bush, Mountain laurel

    Exquisite little flowers like parasols opening from crinkled buds.

    Genus of 7 species of evergreen shrubs from woodland, swamps and meadows in North America and Cuba.

    Because of its toxicity, particularly to sheep and goats, care should be taken to prevent access to livestock.

    Full Plant Details - Sun/Soil & other attributes
    • Flowering
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      Jan
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      Feb
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      Mar
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      Apr
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      May
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      Jun
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      Jul
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      Aug
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      Sep
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      Oct
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      Nov
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      Dec
    • Good to know
      Wildlife plant - insects
    • Pests & Diseases
      None
    • Place of origin
      Canada.
    • Resistant to honey fungus
      These plants have little or few problems with honey fungus.
    • Evergreen
      Oval to elliptic-lance-shaped, glossy, dark-green leaves to 12cm (5in) long.
    • Red
      Red buds
    • Shades of pink
      All shades of pink through to Carmine (red)
      Opening pink
    • Cup-shaped
      Or bowl-shaped.
    • Border
      Suitable for a shrub border
    • Fully hardy
    • Entire
    • Elliptic
    • Lanceolate
    • Height
      1.2m (4ft)
    • Spread
      1.2m (4ft)
    • Medium shrub
      Typically grow to around 4-6 feet in height
      Lax habit at first, becoming tidier with age. Dense, bushy shrub. Flowers 2-2.5cm (¾-1in) across.
    • Pruning group 5
      Suitable for: Evergreen shrubs that require minimal pruning.
      Action: Trim or lightly cut back shoots that spoil symmetry. Deadhead regularly.
      When: Annually after flowering.

      Renovate over several seasons
    • Hardy - very cold winter
      Hardy in all of UK and northern Europe. Plant can possibly withstand temperatures down to -20°C (-4°F)
    • Summer Seasonal Interest
    • Acid / ericaceous loving
    • Fertile moist well-drained soil
      Humus-rich. Mulch annually with leaf mould in spring.
    • Full sun
      Where soil remains reliably moist.
    • Partial shade
    • harmful if eaten
      People and pets, i.e. cats, dogs, rabbits, rodents, tortoises
    • Bee friendly
    • Rabbit Resistant
    • Mature Size
      1.2m (4ft)
      		 Medium Shrub - guide for size not form Watering Can
        1.2m (4ft)
      		  
    View Planting Tips and Care Advice
    View Customers Also Bought
    KALMIA latifolia 'Minuet'

    KALMIA latifolia 'Minuet'

    Calico bush, Mountain laurel
    Available from £15.50
    view
    KALMIA latifolia 'Olympic Fire'

    KALMIA latifolia 'Olympic Fire'

    Calico bush
    Available from £35.00
    view
    KALMIA latifolia

    KALMIA latifolia

    Calico bush, Mountain laurel
    Available from £35.00
    view
    KALMIA latifolia 'Carousel'

    KALMIA latifolia 'Carousel'

    Calico bush, Mountain laurel
    Available from £15.50
    view
    View Planting Combinations

    varieties
    KALMIA latifolia
    Calico bush with waxy pink flowers
     
    Large
    £35.00
    Currently out of stock, please check again soon
    Notify me when this plant is available to order
    KALMIA latifolia 'Bridesmaid'
    Bright pinkish flowers
     
    Small
    £15.50
    Available again from summer 2026
    Could be any time, June through to end August. This is not a guaranteed date but an estimate and subject to availability.
    Notify me when this plant is available to order
    KALMIA latifolia 'Carousel'
    White flowers heavily marked with bright red-purple inside
     
    Small
    £15.50
    Available again from summer 2026
    Could be any time, June through to end August. This is not a guaranteed date but an estimate and subject to availability.
    Notify me when this plant is available to order
    Large
    £35.00
    KALMIA latifolia 'Minuet'
    White flowers with a deep red band inside
     
    Small
    £15.50
    Large
    £35.00
    KALMIA latifolia 'Snowdrift'
    Smallish pure white flowers
     
    Large
    £35.00
    KALMIA latifolia 'Zebulon'
    Palest pink, almost white flowers with a delicate deep pink ring at the centre
     
    Small
    £15.50
    Available again from summer 2026
    Could be any time, June through to end August. This is not a guaranteed date but an estimate and subject to availability.
    Notify me when this plant is available to order
    Large
    £35.00
    Available Early Spring 2026
    Spring according to the Met office is defined as March 1st - May 31st. Therefore early spring is early March to mid-April. This is not a guaranteed date but an estimate and subject to availability.
    Notify me when this plant is available to order
    KALMIA polifolia 'Newfoundland'
    Narrow leaves and bright rose-pink terminal clusters of flowers
     
    1.5 to 2 Litre
    £20.00
    Available again from summer 2026
    Could be any time, June through to end August. This is not a guaranteed date but an estimate and subject to availability.
    Notify me when this plant is available to order

    Useful extras...

    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)
    Small - 60g sachet
    £3.00
    Medium - 150gm sachet
    £6.00
    Large - 360gram sachet
    £12.00
    Unavailable
    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.
    0.9 kg
    £6.00
    Unavailable
    2.5 kg
    £13.00
    Unavailable
    4.5 kg
    £25.00
    Vermin & Pest Control
    SB Plant Invigorator
    This is a non-biological non-chemical plant insecticide and mildewcide. Works against the physical motion of the insect. Perfect for all plants and edible crops.
    500 ml
    £8.00
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