Mountain laurel is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with clusters of pink or white cup-shaped flowers and glossy foliage that remains through winter.
- Height
- 121–458 cm / 4–15 ft
- Spread
- 121–244 cm / 4–8 ft
- Light
- Shade / Full sun / Partial shade
- Soil moisture
- Dry / Moist, well-drained
- Flowering
- Spring, Summer
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- USDA zones
- 4a–9b
Planting
Choose partial shade and cool, moist, acidic soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage matters; consider a raised planting where the ground is heavy.
Care
Mulch to keep the roots cool and retain moisture. Remove faded flower clusters and lightly prune after flowering, remembering that next year’s flowers develop on older growth.
Before planting: All parts are highly toxic if swallowed. It also has high flammability; keep it outside wildfire defensible space.
Planting Mountain laurel?
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Sources & photo credit
Plant reference: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Content checked . Flowering seasons vary with local climate; USDA zones describe winter cold tolerance.
- Mountain laurel: Randy Harter · CC BY 4.0. Resized, converted to WebP and cropped for display.
- Sand myrtle: Jason Hollinger · CC BY 2.0. Resized, converted to WebP and cropped for display.
- Bearberry: Walter Siegmund · CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized, converted to WebP and cropped for display.
- Virginia sweetspire: Cathy DeWitt · CC BY 4.0. Resized, converted to WebP and cropped for display.