Kalmia latifolia Latchmin - Mountain Laurel

Kalmia latifolia 'Latchmin' is a heathland shrub of moderate growth. It produces lovely purplish bells, pink on their opposite side, gathered in clusters and well highlighted against the bright green evergreen foliage. It appreciates acidic, well drained soils, in partial shade, and you can also enjoy it in a pot.

The broad-leaved Kalmia, also known as mountain laurel or American laurel, is a bush from the Ericaceae family, just like rhododendrons and heathers. Originally from the Appalachians, a long mountain range in the northeast of the United States, it loves forest edges and acidic undergrowth rich in leaf or needle litter, in rather humid climates. The mountain laurel has a beautiful evergreen, glossy and lanceolate foliage, indeed vaguely resembling a laurel. At the end of spring, between May and June, the bush is covered with pinkish white buds, like small jewels.  These then open to cup-shaped flowers, with 5 fused petals and protruding stamens, gathered in dense corymbs about ten centimetres in diameter.  Despite a somewhat "precious" appearance, its origins give it great hardiness, in the order of -20°C (-4 °F).

The 'Latchmin' variety produces many candy pink buds, then flowers whose interior is strongly marked with purple, with a lighter centre and margin. The contrast between the unopened buds and the fully open flowers is particularly pretty. With rather moderate and bushy growth, it will reach about 1.30 m (4 ft 4 in) in height and width after about ten years, perhaps a little more but its growth is not fast.

Like many plants in the family, the Kalmia requires a very acidic to acidic soil, which is moist but well drained (its rather superficial roots hate stagnant water). The substrate must be rich in organic matter and humus, peaty and sandy, and limestone-free as it quickly causes chlorosis (yellowing) of the leaves. Partial sunlight will allow it to flower well, but make sure to protect it from burning sun at the hottest times of the day. You will benefit from laying a thick mulch of leaves at the base of the shrub every year, which will acidify and soften the soil, and retain moisture. All parts of the plant are toxic if ingested.

Create beautiful plant associations with shrubs like Japanese azaleas, Cornus canadensis, a curious ground-covering dogwood, perennials like Rodgersia, Podophyllum peltatum, or even the delicate but robust fern Adiantum pedatum. The Kalmia 'Latchmin' is also easy to keep in a pot, if kept well watered.