Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia
Iconic Appalachian evergreen with intricate cup-shaped pink flowers — anthers spring-loaded under tension, snapping forward when triggered by visiting bees. Needs acidic, well-drained soil. All parts toxic.
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Type
- tree
- Lifespan
- perennial
- Height
- 5–15 ft
- Spacing
- 5–15 ft apart
- Light
- part shade
- Soil moisture
- moist
- Soil pH
- acidic
- Bloom
- June, July
- Bloom colors
- white, pink
- Wildlife value
- butterflies, hummingbirds, pollinators, mammals, larval host
- Caterpillar hosts
- ~33 butterfly & moth species
- Landscape uses
- naturalizing
- Native states
- 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
Related native plants
More Kalmia species
- Sheep Laurel (Kalmia angustifolia)
- Bog Laurel (Kalmia polifolia)
- Western Bog Laurel (Kalmia microphylla)