Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
The red blooms of Kaleidoscope Mountain Laurel are the perfect transition between the late spring blooming bulbs and the summer blooming perennials. The broadleaf evergreen leaves provide a dramatic backdrop for the deep red blooms as well as year round interest in the shadier garden. Mountain Laurel is native to North America and likes shadier spots better than other broadleaf evergreens, but will also tolerate sun.
Maintenance is minimal with this native shrub. The nectar of Mountain Laurel attracts many different beneficial pollinators. Berries will form after pollination, but they are not very significant. Please be aware that all parts of this shrub are poisonous to pets and people. Kalmia ‘Kaleidoscope’ should be planted where it is not easily accessible by pets or children.
Kaleidoscope Mountain Laurel Care
Mountain Laurel is not fussy about soil texture or light. Either a sunny or shady position is fine. Kalmia prefers acidic soil of 4.0-6.8 pH, and a consistently moist, well drained soil. Mulching may be necessary to keep Kaleidoscope damp, especially during the hottest parts of summer. Fertilizing is rarely needed with varieties of native plants. If blooming has reduced or the color of the evergreen leaves has lightened, an application of an acid plant fertilizer can be done in the early spring before the flower buds emerge.
A quick deadheading of the blooms as they fade is all the pruning needed on an annual basis. When a rejuvenating pruning is needed, it must be done after the blooming has finished. Kalmia latifolia blooms on old wood. A winter mulching in the colder hardiness zones will help protect Mountain Laurel from the cold and winds of winter.
Kaleidoscope Mountain Laurel Spacing
Kaleidoscope Mountain Laurel will reach a height of 8-10 feet and width of 8-10 feet. The proper spacing when planting is 9 feet on center. This will give the shrubs good air circulation and help to protect from outbreaks of mildew or fungal diseases.
Kaleidoscope Mountain Laurel Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 5 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Full Shade to Full Sun (Most Sun Conditions)
- Mature Height
- 8-10 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 8-10+ Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Consistently Moist
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Red
- Flower Description
- Red
- Bloom Time
- Late Spring to Early Summer
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Evergreen
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Kaleidoscope Mountain Laurel
- Botanical Name
- KALMIA LATIFOLIA 'KALEIDOSCOPE'
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!