woodland shrub

Mountain laurel

Kalmia latifolia

Also known as Calico Bush, Kalmia, Mountain-laurel

Native to much of the USA

Florida Panhandle to Louisiana, north to New Brunswick, southern Ontario and Ohio River valley of Indiana

In the garden

A woodland shrub for partial shade and evenly moist soil. At up to 35 ft, it needs room in shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 4–9.

Light

Full sun Partial shade Full shade

Moisture

Dry Moist Wet

Find your zone:

Moths Large Yellow Underwing

also Spongy Moth, Snowberry Clearwing, Hummingbird Clearwing +9 more
Grape Leaffolder and Leafroller Moths, White Slant-line, Azalea Sphinx, Disparaged Arches Moth, Raspberry Pyrausta Moth, Common Metarranthis Moth, Slender Clearwing, Homochlodes fritillaria, Grayish Fan-foot
Bees Common Eastern Bumble Bee

also Western Honey Bee, Two-spotted Bumble Bee, Perplexing Bumble Bee +4 more
Sanderson's Bumble Bee, Bradley's Mining Bee, Kalmia Miner Bee, Abrupt Digger Bee
Butterflies Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

also Red-spotted Admiral, Silver-spotted Skipper, American Lady +4 more
Great Spangled Fritillary, Spicebush Swallowtail, Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail, Limenitis astyanax
Also visited by
- Beetles: Lined Longhorn Beetle, Evodinus monticola
- Wasps: Common Aerial Yellowjacket

Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.

Habitat: WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
Native range: Much of the USAUnited States (25): AL, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WV. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
Native distribution: Florida Panhandle to Louisiana, north to New Brunswick, southern Ontario and Ohio River valley of IndianaThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.

Light: Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
Moisture: MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
Hardiness zones: USDA 4–9 · Canadian 5–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
Soil: Cool, moist rocky or sandy soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
Soil texture: Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
Soil pH: 4.5–5.5The acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
Soil quality: LowHow rich a soil it needs. Many natives prefer lean soil and flop in rich beds.
Water use: LowHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
Salinity tolerance: NoneHow well it copes with salty soil, near roads or the coast.
Lime (CaCO₃) tolerance: NoneHow well it copes with chalky, lime-rich soil.

Height: up to 35 ft (to 10.7 m)Typical mature height.
Spread: ~10 ft (3 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
Life cycle: PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Growth rate: SlowA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
Shape: Semi-ErectIts overall silhouette.
Root depth: 24+ in (61+ cm)How far the roots reach, a guide to drought resilience and transplanting.

Type: ShrubWhat kind of plant it is.
Bloom: Jun–JulWhen it flowers.
Flower color: White, PinkThe bloom color, or colors.
Toxicity: Poisonous if eatenWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.

Cold stratification: Not requiredWhether seed needs a cold, moist spell before it will germinate.
Propagation: Bare root, container, cuttings, seedHow to start new plants.
Seed: ~15 million seeds per poundNotes on the seed and how to sow it.
Seed spread rate: SlowHow readily it self-sows. Slow or none means well-behaved, not a spreader.
Seedling vigor: LowHow strongly young seedlings establish.
Vegetative spread: NoneWhether it creeps outward or stays put in a clump.