Kalmia latifolia Keepsake - Mountain Laurel

Kalmia latifolia 'Keepsake', is a charming evergreen shrub of heathland soil commonly known as mountain laurel. With a lovely bushy and dense habit, this selection offers magnificent clusters of flowers in late spring with a red wine colour edged with white. They mix with intense raspberry red floral buds, perfectly highlighted by beautiful shiny leaves. Very hardy, this kalmia only thrives in acidic, rich and well-drained soils. It will bring a beautiful touch of drama to traditional ericaceous beds. 

Kalmia latifolia Keepsake belongs to the Ericaceae family, like heathers and rhododendrons. Its ancestor, called mountain laurel or American laurel, as its name suggests, is endemic to the mountains of eastern North America. 'Keepsake' is moderate in size, not exceeding 1.50 m (4 ft 11 in) in height for 1.25 m (4 ft 1 in) in width. Its growth is quite slow. Its well-branched trunk gives it a bushy, compact and somewhat erect habit. Its foliage is made up of small bright green lanceolate leaves , varnished, tough and thick, and decorative all year round.  Evergreen in winter. The plant's display is at its peak during the flowering period which lasts about 4 weeks in May-June. Each branch carries terminal clusters of small flowers 2 to 2.5 cm (0.8 to 1 in) in diameter. Not all flowers open at the same time, they provide an astonishing contrast between the unopened floral buds and the small bells already bloomed. After flowering, if they have not fallen, the flowers give way to fruits in the form of brown capsules, which last all winter.

The shape and very rich colour of the flowers of Kalmia latifolia 'Keepsake' look like pretty little English porcelain cups placed on a green setting, what elegance! 

Kalmias are particularly hardy ericacous plants which are unfairly unknown. In the right conditions, they bloom abundantly, require little maintenance and thrive. Attractive all year round, Kalmia 'Keepsake' will suit a semi-shaded spot in the garden, where it will beautifully highlight all its neighbours. It will be the ideal companion for all the other ericaceous plants. It will work well in a small flowering hedge, in a group of mixed shrubs or added into a perennial bed.  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.