Start by taking six to eight-inch cuttings from healthy current year growth. This may be a good option if you already have one plant growing and want to cheaply clone it to create a larger patch. It is also possible to grow mountain laurel from cuttings. Seedlings should be kept inside to continue to grow for a full growing season, until roots are well established. Once seedlings emerge, thin to one seedling per pot.Ĭontinue to monitor and keep them moist. Seeds should germinate in around 30 days. Seeds require light for germination, so set the pot under grow lights or somewhere with available natural light. Next, sprinkle several seeds in two to four-inch pots filled with peat and sprinkle a very light covering on top. These seeds germinate best if cold stratified, so store them in the refrigerator in a plastic bag wrapped in a moist paper towel for about two months to begin. Once the flowers have faded and the seed pods developed, cut them off and dry them in a paper bag for a few weeks until they can be cut open easily to remove the seeds. ![]() You may sometimes be able to find seeds at a nursery, or you can easily collect them yourself. Mountain laurel plants have tiny seeds that are encased in pods, each containing between 300 and 700 seeds. But the process is slow, and many people prefer to purchase this plant from a nursery. Mountain laurel can be propagated in a number of ways, including by seed and from cuttings. While mountain laurel can grow to an impressive 30 feet or more in the wild, these shrubs usually don’t exceed 10 feet in cultivation.īeware, all parts of the plant are poisonous, so take care with children and pets if you are growing this species. It is even recognized as the state flower in both Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Perhaps best known for growing wild en masse along the Blue Ridge Parkway in the southern Appalachians, this attractive shrub can be found growing in thickets on rocky mountain slopes and forest edges all along the eastern US from northern Florida all the way up to southern Maine. These beautiful shrubs are famous for their clusters of pink or white flowers with small distinct markings. Jayes, a horticulturalist devoted to studying mountain laurel. latifolia has been cultivated since the early 18th century, at which time it was introduced to England as an ornamental plant for flower gardens.Īround 80 cultivars have since been developed, many originating in the 1960s at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station by Dr. These woody shrubs belong to the Ericaceae family, and they are related to blueberries, rhododendrons, and azaleas. Mountain laurels are native to the eastern United States. This plant should not be confused with Texas mountain laurel, Dermatophyllum secundiflorum, a member of the pea family. If you live in USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9, you can easily grow mountain laurel in your garden. It is perfect for borders, backdrops, and living hedges. If you have trouble keeping up with your pruners, check out our locally hand-made leather pruner holster here.With beautiful evergreen foliage and spectacular springtime displays of flowers, mountain laurel can take any landscape design to the next level. Prune plants as needed to encourage growth. Whenever they become too heavy to stand on their own, add bamboo stakes for the plants to lean against or tie up for support. They take nutrients from the soil.Īdditionally, certain plants may need staking. In addition, pull weeds out when they appear. Be sure to water your plants until they are established. Add the recommended amount per fertilizer instructions. Add a bit of slow-release fertilizer to help new plants to grow quickly. Fill in the hole tightly with soil to avoid any air pockets. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball of your plant. This will help the roots of the plant to grow out into the soil. When you receive your plant, soak the root ball in water for 20 minutes upon arrival before planting or potting. Even if you have the perfect soil and ideal location, you still need to choose the right time of the year depending on what you are planting. Check the light preferences for your plant and choose your plot accordingly. Click this link to check your frost dates: Frost Dates. ![]() Scientific Name: Kalmia latifolia ‘Minuet’īefore planting, have your soil tested to see what amendments are needed.Minuet Mountain Laurel gives a stunning pop of color in the garden. ![]() This evergreen is an excellent choice for a shade or woodland garden. It has pink buds that open to striking blooms with a maroon band inside the white flowers. Minuet Mountain Laurel is a dwarf mountain laurel. Minuet Mountain Laurel quantity Add to cart
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