Sarah Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia ‘Sarah‘
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 4a-9b (West) | 4a-8b (East) Find Your Zone
Plant Type: Evergreen Flowering Shrub
Height at Maturity: 4-5′
Width at Maturity: 4-5′
Spacing: 4.5′ for solid hedges; 10’+ for space between plants
Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate
Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate
Flower Color: Red buds open to Pinkish to Coral Pink flowers
Flower Size: 2″
Flowering Period: Late Spring to Early Summer
Flower Type: Single, cup-shaped, in large clusters
Fragrant Flowers: No
Foliage Color: Dark Green
Fragrant Foliage: No
Berries: No
Berry Color: NA
Sun Needs: Part Shade to Shade, All-Day Filtered Sun, Morning Sun with Afternoon Shade; avoid direct afternoon sun in hot climates
Water Needs: Average
Soil Type: Clay (amend heavy clay to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sand, Silt
Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist But Well Drained
Soil pH: 5.0 – 6.0 (Acid)
Maintenance / Care: Low
Attracts: Butterflies, Visual Attention
Resistances: Cold Temperatures (30F), Heat, Humidity, Insect, Shade
Description
The ‘Sarah’ Mountain Laurel features abundant large clusters of brilliant cherry red buds that open to very unique, cup-like, pentagon-shaped, pink to coral pink flowers with a soft pink eye that is surrounded by a deep red ring near the base of the corolla. Sarah forms an upright natural looking shrub to 5 feet tall and equally as wide clothed in attractive glossy dark green leaves that are smaller and more wavy than others in the species. This gorgeous North American native is excellent as a specimen in shady garden beds, home foundation plantings, or in a grouping along a shady woodland border.
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing 4 to 5 feet tall and equally wide, the Sarah Mountain Laurel is ideal for use as an accent in smaller garden spaces or centerpiece in pots, or in groupings or as a natural hedge in shady landscape and woodland borders. Plant this one near outdoor living spaces and paths where the flowers can be enjoyed from close up. Very nice near garden ponds, streams and other bodies of water. A fine addition to woodland gardens, native plant gardens and pink theme gardens.
Spacing: 6 feet apart for solid hedges; 12′ or more for space between plants
Growing Preferences
Mountain Laurels are easy to grow in a moist but well-drained acidic soil of average fertility and part shade. They don’t like a constantly wet or dry soil. Provide supplemental water during periods of summer drought to maintain a moist soil, but not waterlogged. Though they will tolerate full sun in cooler climates of Zone 7and further north, they will appreciate shade or filtered sun during the afternoon hours. Except to remove a damaged branch they don’t require pruning. Avoid the use of harsh commercial fertilizers as they can cause the leaves to burn. Feed with an organic plant food or organic compost.
Helpful Articles
Mountain Laurels are in the Rhododendron family so plant them as you would a Rhododendron.
How To Plant A Rhododendron
How To Fertilize & Water A Rhododendron
How To Prune A Rhododendron
Plant Long & Prosper!
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