Mountain Laurel

Scientific Name: Kalmia latifolia L.


Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Magnoliopsida / Dilleniidae / Ericales / Ericaceae / Kalmia L./ Kalmia latifolia L.

Mountain Laurel
General Information
Usda SymbolKALA
GroupDicot
Life CyclePerennial
Growth HabitsShrubTree,
Native LocationsKALA

Plant Guide

Use a soil moisture meter to monitor the soil moisture where Mountain Laurel is planted.

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

Temperature, Minimum (°F)-23
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsNo
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Anaerobic ToleranceNone
CaCO3 ToleranceNone
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Drought ToleranceHigh
Fertility RequirementLow
Fire ToleranceMedium
Frost Free Days, Minimum150
Hedge ToleranceLow
Moisture UseLow
pH, Maximum5.5
pH, Minimum4.5
Planting Density per Acre, Maxim1700
Planting Density per Acre, Minim300
Precipitation, Maximum60
Precipitation, Minimum32
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)24
Salinity ToleranceNone
Shade ToleranceTolerant


Morphology/Physiology

BloatNone
ToxicityNone
Resprout AbilityYes
Shape and OrientationSemi-Erect
Active Growth PeriodSpring and Summer
C:N RatioHigh
Coppice PotentialNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Fire ResistantNo
Flower ColorPurple
Flower ConspicuousYes
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage Porosity SummerModerate
Foliage Porosity WinterModerate
Foliage TextureCoarse
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Nitrogen FixationNone
Low Growing GrassNo
LifespanLong
Leaf RetentionYes
Known AllelopathNo
Height, Mature (feet)6.0
Height at 20 Years, Maximum (fee5
Growth RateSlow
Growth FormMultiple Stem
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown


Reproduction

Vegetative Spread RateNone
Small GrainNo
Seedling VigorLow
Seed Spread RateSlow
Fruit/Seed Period EndSummer
Seed per Pound15000000
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by ContainerYes
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by Bare RootYes
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSpring
Fruit/Seed AbundanceLow
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Bloom PeriodMid Spring
Propagated by CuttingsYes


Suitability/Use

Veneer ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Protein PotentialLow
Post ProductNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable Graze AnimalLow
Palatable Browse AnimalLow
Nursery Stock ProductYes
Naval Store ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Fodder ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo

Mountain Laurel

Mountain Laurel

Mountain Laurel

Mountain Laurel

Mountain Laurel

Mountain Laurel

Mountain Laurel

Mountain Laurel

Mountain Laurel

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Mountain Laurel

Mountain Laurel

Mountain Laurel

Mountain Laurel

Mountain Laurel

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