About
Small, wiry, evergreen shrub 30-50cm tall, with shiny, narrow, dark green leaves, glaucous beneath. Racemes of distinctively crimped, saucer-shaped bright white flowers to 2cm across, are produced in terminal clusters from mid to late spring.
About the genus
Kalmia are evergreen shrubs with simple, leathery leaves and racemes or corymbs of bowl-shaped flowers in spring or summer
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeAlpine Rockery, Shrubs, Bogs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden
ToxicityHarmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs, cats, rabbits, tortoises): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist, humus-rich, acid soil in partial shade, or in sun where the soil remains reliably moist; mulch in spring with leaf mould or well-rotted pine needles. In its native habitat this species grows in swamps and boggy soils
PruningPruning group 8 if necessary, but no pruning is required
PropagationPropagate by semi-ripe cuttings in midsummer or layering in late summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility