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.
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Mountain Laurel Leaves Are Browning – Why Are Mountain Laurel Leaves Turning BrownMountain 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.
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Mountain Laurel Irrigation: How To Water A Mountain Laurel ShrubA sometimes overlooked North American native, mountain laurel is a very hardy, shade tolerant shrub that produces beautiful, showy flowers where many other plants will not. Learn more about mountain laurel water needs in this article.
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Mountain Laurel Cold Hardiness: How To Care For Mountain Laurels In WinterMountain laurels 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 how to care for mountain laurels in winter, this article will help.
