Kalmia latifolia - Mountain Laurel

Little known to gardeners, Kalmia latifolia or Mountain Laurel is a small wonder. This evergreen bush bears splendid open bell-shaped flowers of a delicate light pink with purple stamen, gathered in groups of about 15cm.

Originating from the east of the United States and Canada, Kalmia is a small, hardy bush, with slow growth, and a bushy habit.  It is of rounded shape that reaches 2 to 3m (6 ft 7 in to 9 ft 10 in) in diameter in our gardens and can, in its native medium, reach up to 8-10m (26 ft 2 in-32 ft 10 in) in height.

Its shiny green, lanceolate foliage is evergreen. Its pale pink flowers, are gathered on a terminal corymb, they bloom over a short period between May and June.

Considered a heathland bush, Kalmia latifolia grows in acidic, very humus-rich, fresh and draining soil. It likes semi-shade and tolerates the sun in mild temperate climates (avoid full sun in hot regions), it also tolerates light sea winds. Plant it in a cool place with maximum humidity in summer, in the company of rhododendrons, camellias and Enkianthus.

Be careful, its foliage, flowers and fruits are toxic to animals.

Kalmia is a genus dedicated to Piehr Kalm, a Swedish botanist of the 18th century, he notably published a famous detailed study on the natural history of North America in his book "Travels into North-America".