Texas mountain laurel is a tough evergreen shrub or small tree native to Mexico and the American Southwest. It is known for its attractive, fragrant flowers and its extreme drought hardiness. Keep reading to learn more about growing Texas mountain laurels in the landscape.

Texas Mountain Laurel Info

What is a Texas mountain laurel? Of no relation to the flowering mountain laurel shrub native to the eastern United States, this shrub/tree is a native of the Chihuahuan desert. Also known as mescal bean, the Texas mountain laurel (Dermatophyllum secundiflorum syn. Calia secundiflora, formerly Sophora secundiflora) ranges from Texas through the American Southwest and down into Mexico.

Slow growing, it can reach up to 30 feet (15 m.) in height with a spread of 15 feet (4.5 m.), but it often stays much smaller than that. It produces vivid blue/purple flowers shaped like wisteria blossoms with an intense fragrance that has been compared, not unkindly, to grape flavored Kool-Aid.

These flowers eventually give way to thick seed pods containing bright orange seeds that, while beautiful, are very poisonous and should be kept away from children and pets.

Texas Mountain Laurel Care

As long as you live in the right climate, growing Texas mountain laurels is very easy and rewarding. A desert native, the plant is both heat and drought tolerant, and it actually thrives in poor conditions.

It prefers well-draining, rocky, infertile soil, and it needs full sun. It does not respond very well to pruning, and should be cut back only slightly when absolutely necessary in the spring.

It is hardy down to 5 degrees F. (-15 C.) and can usually survive winters in USDA zone 7b. Due to its toughness and its native status in the Southwest, it is an excellent choice for xeriscaping and for road medians, sidewalks, and courtyards, where soil is poor and maintenance is low.

Mountain laurel shrubs are eastern North American natives with beautiful, unique, cup-shaped flowers that bloom in the spring and summer in shades of white to pink. They are usually used as landscape plants and can often be seen blooming in dappled shade under trees and taller shrubs. Can you grow mountain laurel in a pot though? Keep reading to learn more about caring for mountain laurel in containers.

How to Grow a Potted Mountain Laurel

Can you grow mountain laurel in a pot? The short answer is, yes. Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is a large shrub that can reach as much as 20 feet (6 m.) in height. There are dwarf varieties available, however, that are much more suited to container life. “Minuet” is one such variety, a very small shrub that reaches only 3 feet (1 m.) in height and breadth and produces pink flowers with a bright red ring through the middle. “Tinkerbell” is another excellent dwarf variety that grows to only 3 feet (1 m.) tall and wide and produces vibrant pink flowers. These and other dwarf varieties are usually compact enough to live happily for years in large containers.

Caring for Container Grown Mountain Laurels

Potted mountain laurel plants should be treated more or less the same as their cousins in the garden. It’s a common misconception that mountain laurels like deep shade because they tend to grow in the wild under leafy canopies. While it’s true that they will tolerate shade, they actually perform best in dappled to partial sunlight, where they will produce the most blooms. They are not drought tolerant and require regular watering, especially during periods of drought. Remember that container plants always dry out more quickly than plants in the ground. Most mountain laurels are hardy down to USDA zone 5, but container plants are much less resistant to cold. If you live in zone 7 or below, you should provide winter protection by moving your container grown mountain laurels to an unheated garage or shed, or submerging their pots in the ground for the winter.

Texas mountain laurel, Dermatophyllum secundiflorum (formerly Sophora secundiflora or Calia secundiflora), is much loved in the garden for its glossy, evergreen foliage and fragrant, blue-lavender colored blooms. However, here at Gardening Know How, we often get questions about how to get flowers on Texas mountain laurel plants. In fact, no flowers on Texas mountain laurel seem to be a common occurrence. Continue reading to learn possible reasons why your Texas mountain laurel won’t bloom.

Why Texas Mountain Laurel Has Never Bloomed

Hardy in U.S. hardiness zones 9-11, Texas mountain laurel can be a finicky or reluctant bloomer. These plants bloom in spring, then in midsummer to fall they begin to form the flower buds of the next season. The most common reason for no flowers on Texas mountain laurel is improperly timed pruning. Texas mountain laurel should only be pruned and/or deadheaded immediately after it’s done flowering. Pruning and deadheading in fall, winter, or early spring will result in inadvertently cutting off the flower buds, causing a season of flowerless Texas mountain laurel. Texas mountain laurel is also slow to recover from any hard pruning. If the plant is cut back too much, blooms can be delayed for a season or two. Transplant shock can also result in flowerless Texas mountain laurel. Experts strongly suggest planting a new, young Texas mountain laurel, rather than trying to transplant an already established one because they are so susceptible to transplant shock. Transplanting Texas mountain laurel can cause the plant to not bloom for several seasons.

How to Get Flowers on a Texas Mountain Laurel

Environmental factors that can cause Texas mountain laurel to not bloom include too much shade, waterlogged or heavy clay soil, and too much nitrogen. Texas mountain laurel can grow in dappled to part shade. However, to bloom properly, they need 6-8 hours of sunlight every day. Before planting a Texas mountain laurel, it is recommended that you track the sunlight in your yard to properly select a site where it can receive enough sunlight. Heavy, waterlogged soils can cause root and crown rot of Texas mountain laurel, which will result in defoliation and bud or bloom drop. It is simply a plant’s natural defense when they are sick or under an insect attack to drop foliage and blooms. Make sure to plant Texas mountain laurels in well-draining soils. Another common reason why Texas mountain laurel has never bloomed is too much nitrogen. Nitrogen promotes leafy green growth on plants, not bloom or root development. Nitrogen runoff from lawn fertilizers can inhibit the production of blooms, so it is best to select a site for Texas mountain laurels where they will not catch this high nitrogen runoff. Also, when fertilizing Texas mountain laurel, select a fertilizer for acid-loving plants with a low level of nitrogen.

Mountain laurel is a broad-leaved evergreen shrub, native to the United States where it is much beloved. Mountain laurel usually remains green year round, so brown leaves on mountain laurels can be a sign of trouble. Determining the reason for brown mountain laurel leaves can be challenging and involves careful detective work. The following information may help.

Why Mountain Laurel Leaves are Browning

Below are the top reasons for brown leaves on mountain laurels: Desiccation/winter burn – Brown leaves on mountain laurels can be caused by desiccation, which occurs when winter wind draws moisture from the tissues. If the plant is unable to pull moisture from the soil, the water in the cells isn’t replaced and leaves turn brown. To prevent desiccation, ensure the tree is properly watered during dry periods. Cold temperatures – Damage can occur when winter temperatures are unusually cold, but it is most likely to occur in trees planted in the northern borders of their USDA hardiness range. An organic mulch will help during the winter. If necessary, protect mountain laurel trees with a burlap windbreak. Improper watering – Brown mountain laurel leaves, primarily when browning shows up at leaf tips, may be due to improper watering or excessively dry soil. Always water the tree deeply every seven to 10 during absence of rain by allowing a hose or soaker to soak the ground for at least 45 minutes. A layer of mulch will keep the soil evenly moist but be sure to leave a span of bare ground around the stem. Fertilizer burn – Strong chemical fertilizer may be the reason for mountain laurel leaves turning brown, especially if discoloration affects the tips and edges. The tree may be absorbing too much fertilizer without your realization if it’s planted close to a heavily fertilized lawn. Follow fertilizer manufacturer recommendations closely. Never fertilize dry soil or a thirsty tree. Sunburn – When mountain laurel leaves are browning, it may be because the tree is exposed to too much intense, direct sunlight. Mountain laurel shrubs prefer plenty of morning sunlight but should be in shade during the afternoon. Drought – Established mountain laurel trees are relatively drought tolerant, but they aren’t likely to tolerate long periods of extreme drought. Mulch is critical to help mountain laurel trees survive drought and summer heat. Disease – While not often an issue, mountain laurel shrubs do suffer from occasional fungal problems, especially in areas with abundant humidity and moisture. Leaf spot is the most common of these and will cause browning of the leaves. Fungicides can help.

Mountain laurel, or Kalmia latifolia, is an evergreen shrub in U.S. hardiness zones 6-8. It is beloved for its unique, open branching habit; large, azalea-like foliage; and its beautiful, wax-like star-shaped flowers which are available in red, pink or white. Growing to a general height and width of five to eight feet (1.5 to 2 m.), cutting back mountain laurels may occasionally be necessary to fit the space they are in. To learn how to prune mountain laurel shrubs, keep reading.

Mountain Laurel Trimming

Aside from being a beautiful flowering evergreen, mountain laurel is also very popular for being low maintenance. Generally, mountain laurel plants require little pruning. However, as with any plant, it is sometimes necessary to prune dead, damaged, crossing branches or water sprouts from mountain laurel plants. While mountain laurel plants tend to have an open, airy growth habit, it may also be necessary to prune out some inner branches to promote good air circulation throughout the plant, and also allow more sunlight in to the center of the plant. Mountain laurel plants bloom in spring. After this bloom period, most experts recommend cutting off the spent flowers to promote an even better bloom display the following year. Mountain laurel pruning should also be done at this time, right after the plant flowers. However, emergency pruning, such as trimming out diseased or storm damaged branches, can be done anytime.

How to Prune Mountain Laurel Bushes

When pruning a mountain laurel, it is always important to used sharp, clean tools. You may require hand pruners, loppers, a pruning saw or a bow saw, depending on the thickness of the branches you are trimming. Always make clean, smooth cuts, as jagged cuts can heal over slower, leaving the branch end open and susceptible to pests or disease. It is also important to note that if you are trimming out diseased branches, you should dip your tools in a sanitizer such as bleach or rubbing alcohol between each cut to prevent the further spread of the disease. When cutting back mountain laurel, older, tired branches can actually be rejuvenated by cutting them all the way back to the ground. Mountain laurel plants are very forgiving about hard pruning. However, a general rule of thumb when pruning trees and shrubs, is to never remove more than 1/3 of the plant in one pruning. First, prune out large branches that need rejuvenation. Next, remove dead, damaged or crossing branches. Then remove any water sprouts or branches that hinder air flow or light exposure. After pruning, it is a good idea to give mountain laurels a little boost with a fertilizer for acid-loving plants.

Mountain laurels are easy-maintenance plants native to this country. They grow happily in the wild, reproducing from seeds. Seeds won’t reliably reproduce hybrid cultivars. The only way to be sure of clones is mountain laurel cutting propagation. Growing cuttings from mountain laurel is possible, but it’s not always easy.

Mountain Laurel Cutting Propagation

When you want to grow mountain laurel from cuttings, the first step is to take the cuttings at the right time of year. Experts agree that cuttings from mountain laurel must be taken from the current year’s growth. When exactly should you start your mountain laurel cutting propagation? You can take cuttings as soon as the growth ripens. Depending on which part of the world you call home, this could be early in the calendar year, or in the period August to December. To successfully root mountain laurel cuttings, you’ll do well to take them from healthy branch tips. Make sure they haven’t been damaged by insects or disease. Each cutting should be 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm.) long.

Rooting Mountain Laurel from Cuttings

The next step is to prepare the cuttings. Slice the base of each on both sides of the stem, then dip the bases in rooting hormone. Plant each in a small container in an equal mix of perlite, coarse sand and peat moss. In order to root mountain laurel cuttings, you’ll need to keep them moist. Add water to the potting material when you plant them and mist the leaves. It helps hold the moisture in the cuttings from mountain laurel if you cover them with clear plastic bags, removing them only when you water and mist every day.

Patience Pays

When you are trying to grow mountain laurel from cuttings, the next step is patience. Keep the cuttings in a warm spot out of direct sunlight and keep the soil moist. Then prepare yourself for a wait. It may take four to six months before the cuttings root. You’ll be able to tell if you gently lift up on the cuttings and feel resistance. These are the roots that are spreading in the soil. Don’t pull too hard because you don’t want to remove the plant yet, but you can stop sheltering it with a plastic bag. Give it another month, then transplant the cuttings.

Plants lose leaves for a variety of reasons. In the case of mountain laurel leaf drop, fungal, environmental and cultural issues may be the cause. Figuring out which is the hard part but, once you do, most fixes are fairly easy. To garner clues, watch the plant carefully and evaluate its nutrient and water needs, as well as weather the plant has experienced. Much of this information can help tell you why a mountain laurel is losing its leaves and how to correct the problem. Mountain laurel is a North American native evergreen shrub. It produces lovely spring flowers that look a bit like brightly colored candy. It is hardy in United States Department of Agriculture zones 4 to 9. This rather broad distribution makes the plant well adapted to many conditions. However, they do not perform well in clay soil, and need dappled light in southern locations. A mountain laurel losing leaves may be suffering from too much sun if they are in hot, scorching light.

Fungal Leaf Drop on Mountain Laurels

Fungal diseases primarily occur when temperatures are warm and conditions are wet or humid. Fungal spores bloom on consistently wet leaves causing spotting, lesions, halos and eventually die-off of the leaf. When a mountain laurel is losing its leaves, look for any of these disfigurements. The fungal agent may be Phyllosticta, Diaporthe or many others. The key is to clean up dropped leaves and use a fungicide early in spring and a couple of other times during the growing season. Never water over the plant or when leaves will not have time to dry before night fall.

Environmental Conditions and No Leaves on Mountain Laurel

Plants in clay soil may have trouble taking up nutrients which can cause leaf drop. A more common cause is iron chlorosis, which can be recognized by yellow mottling of the leaves. This is due to a lack of iron coming into the plant, likely because the pH is above 6.0 and interferes with the plant's ability to harvest iron. A soil test can tell if the soil itself is low in iron or if the pH needs to be changed. To lower the pH, add compost, peat moss or sulfur to the soil. A quick fix is to give the plant a foliar spray of iron. Extreme cold is another reason for mountain laurel leaf drop. In areas that get sustained freezes, plant mountain laurels in a slightly sheltered location. Lack of water will also cause dropped leaves. Provide deep watering once per week in dry conditions.

Pests and Leaf Drop on Mountain Laurels

Insect pests are another common reason for a mountain laurel losing leaves. The two most common pests are borers and weevils. Borers tunnel into woody tissue and disrupt the vascular system, interrupting the cycle of nutrients and water. This girdling will effectively starve and dehydrate the plant. Weevils feed on the leaves, but their larvae eat the roots. This also affects the plant's ability to bring in nourishment. The borers will respond to Bacillus thuringiensis while weevils can be caught in sticky traps placed at the base of the plant. Occasionally, lace bug infestations and their sucking activity will cause leaf drop. Control with pyrethroid insecticides.

A sometimes overlooked North American native (and the state flower of Pennsylvania), mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is a very hardy, shade tolerant shrub that produces beautiful, showy flowers where many other plants will not. While mountain laurel is tough and mostly self-sufficient, there are some basic guidelines to follow to make sure it lives its best life and produces as many flowers as possible. One obvious element to think about is irrigation. Keep reading to learn more about mountain laurel water needs and how to water a mountain laurel shrub.

Mountain Laurel Irrigation

The time mountain laurel water needs are the greatest is immediately after the shrub has been transplanted. Mountain laurel should be planted in the autumn when temperatures have just started to drop. You should water the shrub well after you’ve planted it, and then continue to water it regularly and deeply until first frost. Take care not to go overboard and waterlog the soil. Only water enough to give it a good drenching, then let the water drain away. Make sure to plant your mountain laurel in well-draining soil to avoid problems that stem from standing water.

How to Water a Mountain Laurel Shrub

After the first frost, leave it alone. In the spring, when temperatures start to rise again, it’s time to begin watering regularly. It’s helpful to put out a layer of mulch around the shrub to help retain moisture over the roots. Once it is established, a mountain laurel shouldn’t need too much watering. It should be able to get by on natural rainfall, though it will benefit from some supplemental watering during periods of heat and drought. Even established plants should be watered generously in the fall leading up to the first frost. This will help the plant stay healthy through the winter.

Growing new mountain laurels can be done by a couple of accepted methods: by seed and by cuttings. It would be less time consuming to buy a new shrub from your nursery to add additional pretty, flowering mountain laurels, but propagating from plants in your yard is cheaper and more rewarding.

How to Propagate a Mountain Laurel by Seed

Mountain laurel propagation by seed is not too difficult, but it does require time and patience. You will want to collect seeds in the fall to early winter to start them germinating in the winter and spring. After a few months, you’ll have seedlings, but these won’t be ready to go outside until the following spring. The seeds of mountain laurel are small and can be found inside five-chambered capsules that open naturally in the winter. They germinate better if cold treated first, so keep them in soil in pots outdoors for the winter in a sheltered area. Or wrap them in sealed plastic and keep in the refrigerator for about three months. After cold treating, sow the seeds in pots indoors with just a light covering of soil. Mist regularly and keep them warm, at about 74 degrees F. (23 C.). Care for your strongest seedlings indoors for the next several months and plant outdoors after the last frost in spring.

How to Propagate a Mountain Laurel by Cuttings

Propagating mountain laurel shrubs by cuttings requires a little more extra help in the form of rooting hormones. Take cuttings from growth from the current year—about 6 inches (15 cm.) is good enough—and remove leaves at the bottom. Slice the base of your cuttings twice to about 1 inch (2.5 cm.) to promote an even root system. Place the cuttings in warm water until you are ready to plant them. Dip the ends of the cuttings in a rooting hormone—indole butyric acid is a good choice—and then set in pots of soil. Keep the cuttings warm and moist until the roots begin to form. Keep in mind that it can take up to six months for full rooting to occur with mountain laurel. Once the roots are well established, you can plant it outdoors in the spring after the risk of frost has passed.

If your mountain laurel has leaf spots or chlorotic foliage, you may be wondering, “Is my mountain laurel sick.” Like all plants, mountain laurels have their share of diseases. Diseases of mountain laurel tend to be primarily fungal. It is important to learn the signs of these diseases in order to treat sick mountain laurels as soon as possible and nip the problem in the bud so to speak.

Help, What’s Wrong with My Mountain Laurel?

Identifying what is making your mountain laurel sick means examining its symptoms. If your laurel’s foliage has spots, the likely culprit is a fungal disease like leaf spot. There are at least a dozen fungal pathogens that cause leaf spot and to be really sure which one you may have, you would have to have the diseased area tested by a laboratory. Leaf spot is caused when trees are over crowded, shaded and in excessively moist areas. The good news is that leaf spot doesn’t usually do long-term damage to the shrub, provided you manage the problem. Sick mountain laurels should be pruned and the infected leaves removed. Also, rake and clean up fallen leaves and be sure to water only at the base (root) of the plant to avoid getting the leaves wet, which can foster many of these diseases.

Additional Mountain Laurel Diseases

Another, more serious disease of mountain laurels is botryosphaeria canker. It afflicts many other plants besides laurel and is, again, a fungal disease. Spores enter plants through pruning wounds or other damaged areas as well as through the natural openings in the plant tissue. Once the spores have infiltrated the area, a canker is formed and, as the disease progresses, the entire branch dies back. Generally, this particular mountain laurel disease infects one branch at a time. The first symptom will be leaves curling downward followed by the appearance of a circular canker. Plants are most susceptible to botryosphaeria canker when they are under stress, whether from drought, heat, damage, or overcrowding. There is no cure-all for this disease, but it can be managed. On a dry day, prune out any infected branches and then burn them or throw them away. Remove the branch about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm.) beneath the canker. Sanitize your pruning shears with a 10% bleach solution between each cut so you do not transfer the disease to other plants. What is making your mountain laurel look peaked may not be a disease. Mountain laurels thrive in well-draining soil rich with organic matter and in partial shade. Yellowing leaves (chlorosis) may be a sign of a lack of iron. This is the result of soil that is too acidic and can be treated by using an iron chelate compound. Lastly, signs of damage to a mountain laurel may be signs of winter injury. These symptoms may be dieback or tip browning or splitting bark. Winter injury may be caused from too much or too late fertilization, sudden temperature fluxes, or late spring frosts. To prevent winter injury, deep water mountain laurels prior to the first winter freeze, don’t fertilize in the early fall or late summer, and mulch around the base of the plant to help it retain moisture.

Mountain laurels (Kalmia latifolia) are shrubs that grow in the wild in the eastern half of the country. As native plants, these plants do not require coddling in your garden. However, if you live in an area with harsh weather, you may want to consider winter protection for mountain laurels. If you are wondering about mountain laurel cold hardiness or how to care for mountain laurels in winter, this article will help.

About Mountain Laurel Cold Hardiness

Mountain laurels are native broadleaf evergreen shrubs beloved by gardeners for their vivid spring flowers. The foliage is also attractive and the shrubs look beautiful in borders or natural gardens. As native shrubs, mountain laurels are low-maintenance in the garden and know how to take care of themselves. Mountain laurel cold hardiness allow these shrubs to thrive in the summers and winters of USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. Yet, occasionally, mountain laurels in winter have problems. Those at the northern limits of mountain laurel cold hardiness can develop leaf scorch. This happens when the ground is frozen and the shrubs cannot get water from the frozen ground. At the same time, they are losing water from wind-exposed leaves. Another type of mountain laurel winter injury is sunscald. Mountain laurels in winter can develop burned looking leaves. This sun scalding happens when the sunlight bounces off the snow and ice.

Mountain Laurel Winter Care

You can prevent mountain laurel winter injury with just a little effort. First, be sure the plants are as healthy as possible by planting them in a site with some shade and some sun in well-draining, acidic soil. In addition, provide a little irrigation during dry periods to prevent water stress. Mulching the ground around the roots offers summer and winter protection for mountain laurel. For mountain laurel winter care, add a thick layer of straw mulch or chopped leaves as the weather turns icy. This will prevent extreme soil temperature fluctuations that can damage the shrubs. Beyond that, the best mountain laurel winter care involves protecting the plants from both wind and bright winter sun. If your plants are sited in an area without shelter from wind and winter sun, build a burlap windscreen to protect it. You can also spray your mountain laurel’s leaves with an anti-transpirant spray before the weather drops into negative territory. This helps to keep down moisture loss.

If you live in the eastern United States, you will have seen mountain laurel on hikes in mixed woodlands. This native plant produces astonishing flowers in late spring. You can grow mountain laurel from seed or cuttings and produce one of these lovely bushes for your own garden. Continue reading to find out how to plant mountain laurel seeds along with some tips for optimal success.

Collecting Seeds of Mountain Laurel

Kalmia latifolia, or mountain laurel, blooms May through June, with bursts of flowers lasting up to three weeks. Each flower develops into a seed capsule. Mountain laurel seed propagation requires conditions that match the wild ones in which the seeds will germinate. These include site, temperature, soil, and moisture. Growing mountain laurel from seed starts with harvest and acquisition. After bloom, the plant develops five chambered, globe-shaped capsules. When ripe and dried, they burst open and release seeds in autumn. Strong winds disperse the seed to other sites. When seeds reach a favorable location and undergo several altering conditions, they will grow. For instance, the seeds of mountain laurel require cold stratification over the winter to break dormancy and germinate in spring. The amount of moisture and light will also increase germination time. Cut pods and place them in a paper bag to harden further. Then shake the bag to allow seeds to fall into the bottom of the bag.

When to Sow Mountain Laurel Seeds

Once you have harvested seeds, they should be sown almost immediately outdoors to allow the cold experience. Alternatively, you can sow them in containers and place in the refrigerator or simply chill seeds in a closed bag and plant in spring. The seeds need to experience temperatures of at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 C.) for 3 months. When temperatures warm to at least 74 Fahrenheit (24 C.), germination can occur. Growing mountain laurel from seed also requires light for germination as well as average moisture. Seeds are surface sown to allow for the light requirement.

How to Plant Mountain Laurel Seeds

In addition to surface sowing, cold pre-treatment, and light, mountain laurel seed propagation also needs an exacting growing medium. While potting soil might suffice, experts recommend moistened sand to germinate the seed. Germination takes 1 to 2 weeks. Once germinated and achieving their second set of true leaves, transplant seedlings to humus rich soil. You can make this by mixing half potting soil and half compost. Seedlings must be kept moist, but not soggy, at all times. Before planting them outdoors, pre-condition them by hardening them off for several days. Plant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed in a sunny location with moist but well-draining soil.

Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is a lush evergreen shrub with stunning flowers. It’s native to the eastern half of the country and, as a native, is an easy-care plant to invite into your yard in mild regions. Although these are native shrubs, some gardeners feel that they grow better if you fertilize them. If you’d like to know how to fertilize mountain laurels or what to use for mountain laurel fertilizer, read on.

Feeding a Mountain Laurel

Mountain laurels are broad-leafed evergreens that grow in the wild as multi-stemmed shrubs. The leaves, like holly leaves, are shiny and dark. And the branches of mature laurels are delightfully gnarled. Mountain laurel produces flowers in late spring or summer. The blooms range from white to red and are an essential part of the woodlands in the East. They grow in zones 4 to 9, and look beautiful cultivated with rhododendrons or azaleas. Is feeding a mountain laurel essential to its growth? Although the species grows just fine in the wild without care, fertilizing mountain laurel cultivars may promote thicker growth and healthier leaves. But you must not feed these plants too often or too much.

How to Fertilize Mountain Laurels

Some gardeners don’t fertilize their mountain laurels because these native plants grow well on their own. Others give the shrubs mountain laurel fertilizer for that extra little push. If you are wondering how to fertilize mountain laurels, the answer is to do it lightly once a year. As to what fertilizer, select a granular product for acid-loving plants and scatter a handful or two on the soil near the plant.

When to Feed Mountain Laurels

If you are thinking of feeding a mountain laurel, the “when” is just as important as the “how.” So the next question is: when to feed mountain laurels? Do the deed in late fall or early spring. When you are feeding a mountain laurel, remember to feed the plants sparingly. Be sure not to let the mountain laurel fertilizer touch the foliage or stems. While some gardeners also use liquid fertilizer every six weeks during growing season, it isn’t really necessary. According to other experts, fertilizing a mountain laurel after June causes abundant foliage growth at the price of blooms.

Mountain laurel is a pretty flowering shrub that zone 5 through 9 gardeners like to use for screening, borders, and other yard elements. Unfortunately, there are a number of pests of mountain laurel that you will have to contend with if you want to grow this beautiful shrub.

Types of Mountain Laurel Pests

This shrub is a great plant for shady yards and forest gardens, but there are a few bugs that eat mountain laurel. Be aware of all the possible mountain laurel insects that may infest so that you can take steps to prevent and manage as needed: Lace bug – If you see pale, mottled discoloration on your mountain laurel’s leaves, it may be lace bug that is sucking the sap out of them. This is one of the most common of mountain laurel insects and is small and square shaped. Weevil – Weevil larvae attack the roots of mountain laurel, which causes the leaves to turn yellow first, and ultimately the leaves and branches to die. The adult bugs fed on the leaves, leaving notches along the edges. Rhododendron borer – This is a small, pale larva that bores into stems and overwinters there. The boring damages stems and leaves scars. You may also see little piles of sawdust where they have entered a stem. Mulberry whitefly – Whitefly nymphs may infest the undersides of your mountain laurel leaves, so turn them over to check for infestation. Whiteflies are sap-sucking insects that quickly stress plants in large numbers.

Mountain Laurel Pest Control

To manage pests on your mountain laurel, start by giving it the best growing conditions; a healthy plant will be better able to resist pests and damage. Use compost in the soil, but don’t apply too much fertilizer. Keep it well watered during the growing season, using mulch to retain moisture. If you see signs of pests, there are some steps you can take to manage infestations. Lace bugs are often easy to spot, and you can remove these manually for minor infestations. For a bigger problem, use an insecticide on the affected leaves. Whitefly control usually requires use of an insecticide. For weevils, which drop from leaves when disturbed, you can lay down a cloth, shake the branches of the shrub, and collect the fallen insects. You can also use a plant barrier like tanglefoot to keep adult weevils from climbing up to eat the leaves. To manage larvae at the roots, use a pathogenic nematode or an appropriate pesticide. To manage a borer infestation, kill the larvae in their bore holes. You can do this manually with a hook or knife, or you can inject an insecticide into the holes you find with sawdust beneath them. Seriously damaged stems should be removed and burned. Adult borers can be caught with a black light trap. Note: Any recommendations pertaining to the use of chemicals are for informational purposes only. Chemical control should only be used as a last resort, as organic approaches are safer and more environmentally friendly.

Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is a lovely medium sized evergreen bush that grows to around 8 feet (2.4 m.) in height. It is naturally an understory shrub and prefers partial shade, so if you have one in full sun, it’s time to think about transplanting your mountain laurel. If you follow some transplant guidelines, moving mountain laurel is a fairly easy task. So how do you transplant a mountain laurel? Read on for tips on how to move a mountain laurel in the landscape.

Moving Mountain Laurels

Mountain laurel, also known as calico bush or ivy-bush, makes a beautiful addition to the understory of a woodland garden or other partially shaded location. If you happen to have one in a sunny area, it likely will not survive and it’s time to move the mountain laurel. Mountain laurels are hardy to USDA zones 5-9. Like other evergreens, mountain laurels should be transplanted in the fall, from late August through late October (or late February to May in Southern Hemisphere). They grow up to 8 feet (2.4 m.) across and as wide, so if you have an existing mature plant you wish to move, you have some work ahead of you; work that might involve a crane to lift the plant out of its current location and then into a new home. Mountain laurels are a bit picky about where they grow. They need well-draining, moist, acidic soil chock full of organic matter. To add acid into the soil prior to transplanting a mountain laurel, amend the soil with plenty of peat moss.

How to Transplant Mountain Laurel

Mountain laurels have a bit of a reputation for being difficult to establish. This difficulty increases if you are moving a mature specimen; young plants tend to adapt more easily. Prior to transplanting a mountain laurel, dig a hole and amend it as above. Be sure to incorporate plenty of organic matter to increase mountain laurel transplant success. Move the mountain laurel, trying to keep as much of the original planting soil intact on the root ball as possible. Lower the plant into the amended hole and back fill with amended soil. Water the plant in well and continue to keep it consistently wet for the first year following the transplant. Then mulch around the root zone of the laurel with a ring of hardwood mulch or acidic pine needles. Be sure to keep the mulch away from the trunk of the laurel. If deer are prominent in your area, protect the mountain laurel with a spray deterrent or fence it off during the fall and winter months when lack of food sources invite deer to nibble on your laurel.

Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is a showy ornamental shrub that is hardy to USDA zones 5 through 9. In the spring and early summer, mature plants put on a dazzling display of small clustered flowers. While their beautiful blooms and evergreen foliage attract the attention of many landscapers, they are also prized for their wide adaptability, growing well in both shade and sun. Though these plants are generally trouble-free, there are some issues which may cause plant vigor to suffer when growing mountain laurel. What’s wrong with my mountain laurel, you ask? Find out about common problems with mountain laurels here and how to fix them.

About Mountain Laurel Problems

Issues with mountain laurel plants may occur for a wide variety of reasons. Whether injury has been caused due to weather, fungal infections, or bacterial issues, it is important to be able to quickly identify the problem and determine the best course of treatment for plants. While some causes of mountain laurel problems may be incidental, others may progress and spread to other laurels within the garden without intervention from the gardener. Below are some of the more common mountain laurel issues you might come across when growing these shrubs in the landscape.

Weather Damage

Some of the most common problems with mountain laurel results from damage done during inclement weather. Since this shrub is an evergreen and maintains foliage throughout the winter, it is susceptible to damage done by cold temperatures. This most often occurs in gardens located in the coldest region of its hardiness zone. Gardeners living in areas which experience heavy snow and windy winter conditions may also notice broken branches and evidence of browning leaves. To maintain these plants, be sure to remove any dead limbs and dispose of them. Removal of plant materials from the garden is an important step in preventing disease, as many organisms may live and overwinter on dead wood. Plants should recover in the spring as new growth resumes. Mountain laurel bushes are also sensitive to drought. Signs of damage incurred by dry conditions include drooping leaves, browning of the leaves, and sometimes cracked stems. Drought-stressed plants are often more susceptible to other pathogens as well. Be sure to water mountain laurels deeply, at least once a week, throughout the active growing season.

Unhealthy Mountain Laurel Leaves

One of the first signs gardeners may notice about unhealthy mountain laurel plants is the change in appearance of the leaves. These shrubs can be affected by numerous forms of fungal infections as well as blight. As the name implies, leaf spot is recognizable by the presence of dark “spots” on the leaves. Infected leaves most often fall from the plant. These should be removed from the garden, as this waste can promote further spread of the issue. With proper garden maintenance and clean-up, it is rare that issues with leaf spot become a serious problem.

Grown for its showy late spring and summer flowers and attractive, evergreen foliage, mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia, USDA zones 5 through 9) is a colorful asset to borders and foundation plantings, and it looks fantastic in mass plantings. 

It's sometimes called a calico bush because the pink or white flowers usually have dark pink or maroon markings. Native to the eastern U.S., you can often find mountain laurel growing wild among native azaleas and rhododendrons.

Mountain Laurel Information

You'll find many lovely cultivars of mountain laurel to choose from, thanks in large part to Dr. Richard A. Jaynes of Hamden, Connecticut. Here are just a few of his enticing creations:

• ‘Elf' is a dwarf that grows 3 feet (1 m.) tall with pale pink or white blossoms.
• ‘Heart of Fire' has deep red buds that open to pink flowers with dark pink edges on a 5 foot (1.5 m.) shrub.
• ‘Raspberry Glow' grows up to 6 feet (2 m.) tall. The burgundy buds open to raspberry pink flowers that keep their color when grown in shade.
• ‘Carol' forms a low, rounded mound of dark green foliage. The buds are red and the flowers are bright white.
• 'Snowdrift' has white blooms with a dab of red in the center. It grows about 4 feet (1 m.) tall.

How to Grow a Mountain Laurel

Mountain laurel looks best when grown in dappled sunlight, but it also grows well in full sun or partial shade. Avoid locations with full sun in combination with reflected light from heat-reflecting southern or southwestern walls. Partial shade is best in hot, southern climates. In deep shade the flowers lose their bright colors and may develop leaf spot.

If azaleas and rhododendrons grow well in the area, mountain laurel will thrive. The shrubs need moist but well-drained, acidic soil. They won't grow well in clay soil. It's important not to give the shrubs too much fertilizer, so don't plant them in or near lawns fed with high-nitrogen products.

Care of Mountain Laurel

Amend the soil with compost when planting mountain laurels. If you have several shrubs, amend the entire bed. Add the compost to the fill dirt if you are only planting one or two shrubs. When adding organic matter to the fill dirt, dig the hole as deep as the root ball and three times as wide so the shrub will have plenty of organic soil where it can spread its roots.

Mountain laurel has a shallow root system and needs watering more often than most shrubs. New plantings need 2 inches (5 cm.) of water each week for the first season. The average sprinkler system delivers about an inch (2.5 cm.) of water per hour, so you'll need to run the system two hours. Use organic mulch, such as pine needles or shredded bark, to help the soil hold moisture between waterings.

These shrubs don't need a lot of fertilizer and may bloom poorly if you apply too much. Use a fertilizer designed for acid-loving plants mixed at one-quarter strength once a year in spring. You can also add a thin layer of compost to the soil for additional nutrients and to add to the organic matter of the soil.

Mountain laurel begins forming the buds for next year's flowers soon after the flowers fade. Prune the shrub right after flowering so that you don't remove the new buds. Cut off faded flowers promptly so the shrub can focus its energy on growth rather than seed development.