Kalmia latifolia Tofka - Mountain Laurel

Kalmia latifolia Tofka is a selection of mountain laurel, full of charm, compact, bushy, flowering in a beautiful pastel shade. Its slightly incurved corollas, large in size, arranged in clusters, are light pink in colour and dotted with dark red.  These contrast against the geometrically shaped pink floral buds. Not very large, this shrub works well in a large pot or a small garden. It is grown like a rhododendron, in semi-shade in a heathland soil, which always remains a bit damp.

Kalmia latifolia Tofka belongs to the Ericaceae family, like Heather and Rhododendron. It is a horticultural cultivar obtained by KH Huebbers in Germany. This slow growing shrub, reaches about 1.20 m (3 ft 11 in) in height for 90 cm (35.4 in) in span after 10 years. Its well branched trunk gives it a bushy, compact and somewhat erect habit. Its medium green, evergreen leaves are lighter on the undersides and provide decorative all year round interest. The leaves are tough and thick and slightly V-shape. This plant is most spectacular at the end of spring, in May-June, when it is entirely covered with flowers. Their waxy texture brings out the patterns on the petals.  Each branch carries clusters of ribbed light pink buds which open into white flowers decorated with red to brown dots and central ring. They are very flared, almost flat at maturity and measure up to 5 cm (2 in) in diameter. After flowering, if they have not fallen, the flowers give way to brown capsule-shaped fruits, which remain throughout the in winter.

Kalmias, unlike rhododendrons, are unfairly unknown. Their flowering is enchanting, they are particularly hardy heathland bushes that should be installed in semi-shade, in a well drained, damp and humus-rich soil. Kalmia 'Tofka' will be perfect to accompany and highlight your other heathland plants, Hydrangeas, Japanese maples, camellias and rhododendrons for example. Due to its small size, it is also suitable for pots on balconies or patios, provided the soil is always kept damp and watered with non-calcareous water.

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.