Kalmia latifolia 'HEART OF FIRE' mountain laurel
size/type
medium-sized shrub,medium-sized shrub
usual height
0,8-1,8m
usual width
0,5-1,5m
leaves
evergreen broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
May-June
location
full to partial sun
soil type
acidic (peaty)
soil moisture requirements
evenly moist (dislikes drought)
USDA zone (lowest)
4 (down to -34°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Honestly, we are nuts about kalmias – mountain laurels. Not very well known, these mid-sized shrubs deserve more attention as they belong to the most beautiful flowering evergreen shrubs of our climate. They come from south-eastern USA and the Asian mountains where they grow under taller trees. There are many cultivars combining all sorts of red, pink and burgundy shades with white, all of them beautiful, all of them very hardy. The best display is when half of the bloom cluster is still in buds which mostly have a different colour than the flowers themselves.
Description of the plant:
Heart of Fire is a mountain laurel variety which brings the most desired contrast between the colour of buds as opposed to opened flowers. In this case the buds are bright rosy red and flowers only light pink, almost white. It is very similar to Ostbo Red variety. The evergreen leaves are leathery, dark green, and glossy. It grows moderately to some 1.3m tall and about a meter wide in 10 years.For a happy life it MUST HAVE acidic soil (add plenty of peat). Do not dig a deep hole but a wide one. Plant it in light, well drained soil that has to be well mulched to keep the surface roots moist at all times. Full sun is best for profuse flowering. Fertilize in spring and early autumn with rhododendron fertilizers. Use water solutions or slow-release fertilizers that will not burn the delicate surface roots. Fully hardy to -34°C (USDA zone 4).
Last update 21-04-2010
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