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colorful fall leaves of rhus aromatica
Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Lo’ (Fragrant Sumac) Photo © Mary Free
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Kalmia latifolia (Mountain Laurel)

Kalmia latifolia (Mountain Laurel) evergreen leaves and new buds along with persistent fruit capsules in January.
Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel) leaves
Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel) bark
Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel) shrub in May
Terminal compound corymbs of Kalmia latifolia (Mountain Laurel) in June.
Before the flower of Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel) completely opens, each anther dehisces by two apical clefts
Anthers of Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel) as a border at Fort Shantok, CT in June
Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel) developing fruit capsules in June.

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Kalmia latifolia Mountain Laurel Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic This handsome, native, eastern North American* evergreen is the State Flower of Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Its glossy, leathery leaves make lovely winter-season decorations—so popular in the early twentieth century that Connecticut passed a law in 1917 to protect Mountain Laurels from being stolen from private property to sell.** The Virginia Native Plant Society named Mountain Laurel as Wildflower of the Year in 1994. Shrub Shrub, Foliage, Bark, Flowers w/ Insect,*** Fruit Height: 5–20 feet Spread: 5–15 feet Bloom Color: White to pink w/ purple-red markings Characteristics Tall, dense, rounded evergreen shrub Mostly alternate, shiny, leathery, lanceolate leaves Terminal corymbs of cup-shaped flowers with ten pocketed anthers on recurved filaments May–July followed by persistent brown capsules Sep–Oct Red-tinged brown bark; trunks gnarl with age Attributes Tolerates rocky soil, sandy soil, full sun, shade, severe pruning; intolerant of heavy clay and wet soils; susceptible to lace bugs and to leaf spot All parts of plant are toxic to humans**** if eaten; poisonous to pets and hoofed browsers except deer that occasionally severely damage foliage Attracts pollinators, hummers, small mammals; larval host to ~26 lepidopterans incl. Promethea silkmoth Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Well-drained, acidic Light Requirements: Partial Shade Excellent Replacement for Camellia japonica - Camellia Ligustrum japonicum - Japanese Privet Water Requirements: Dry (occasionally), Moist Rhododendron ‘P.J.M.’ - P.J.M. Rhododendron Does best in morning or dappled sun in open woods Use pine bark to amend soil and to mulch Spiraea japonica - Japanese Spiraea *It is native to DC and common in DE and MD. It is present in most of PA except for two northwest counties. In VA, it is more or less common throughout except it is infrequent in the outer and far southeastern Coastal Plain. **As part of its criminal law reform, CT repealed the Laurel Law in 1969. ***Toxomerus geminatus syrphid fly. ****Toxic compounds may be present in honey produced by bees that feed mostly on this plant. Flowers on old growth; deadhead directly after bloom and prune lightly to encourage bushiness Use as accent, hedge, or in pollinator or woodland gardens; compliments rhododendrons & azaleas Hardiness: USDA Zones 4a-9b developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Elaine Mills, U.S. National Arboretum and Mary Free (middle), Fort Shantok, CT

Tried and True Native Plant Selections 
for the Mid-Atlantic

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Kalmia latifolia (Mountain Laurel)

This handsome, native, eastern North American* evergreen is the State Flower of Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Its glossy, leathery leaves make lovely winter-season decorations—so popular in the early twentieth century that Connecticut passed a law in 1917 to protect Mountain Laurels from being stolen from private property to sell.** The Virginia Native Plant Society named Mountain Laurel as Wildflower of the Year in 1994.

*It is native to DC and common in DE and MD. It is present in most of PA except for two northwest counties. In VA, it is more or less common throughout except it is infrequent in the outer and far southeastern Coastal Plain. You can view the VA counties in which it has been reported here.

**As part of its criminal law reform, CT repealed the Laurel Law in 1969.

Video © 2020 Mary Free
Mountain laurel flowers dispense pollen in a unique manner. Their stamens act like catapults: the pollen-bearing tips (anthers) are secured in pockets at the edge of the petals, so that when the flower opens, the stalks (filaments) of the stamens arch backward under tension. When a visitor seeks nectar in the center of the flower, its weight dislodges the stamens, which spring up flinging pollen onto the visitor’s body at a speed of about 11.5 feet/second. If you are not fortunate enough to observe how a stamen reacts with an insect, then try it yourself by tapping the arched stamen with a pen or pencil. You can see close-ups of secured and dislodged stamens in this video.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets