Nathan Hale Mountain Laurel

Light Needs

Full Shade to Full Sun

(Can Grow In Most Sunlight Conditions)

Mature Height

7-8 Feet

Mature Spread

7-8 Feet

Growing Zones

5 to 8

Kalmia latifolia 'Nathan Hale', also known as Nathan Hale mountain laurel, is a highly ornamental shrub. It blooms in the spring from deep red buds that open to pastel pink flowers. It is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with pointed, oval, and glossy leaves. New growth emerges reddish purple in the spring and matures to dark green in the summer. This kalmia is symmetrical and has a very compact form. 

Nathan Hale is a multi-stemmed, dense shrub that reaches 7 - 8 feet high and wide. This beautiful shrub requires rich, moist, and acidic soil to thrive. It is hardy in zones 5-8 and does not perform well in hot afternoon sun or desert conditions. Nathan Hale is disease and pest resistant and can be expected to live for 50 years in well-drained soil. You can use it in a show-stopping hedge, for foundation planting, or as a colorful accent plant. 

Nathan Hale Mountain Laurel Care

This shrub can be planted in full sun to full shade, although it blooms better in sun. Mountain laurels are woodland natives and prefer moist, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. They also perform best in acidic soils with pH 5 - 6. Apply a thick layer of compost around the base of the plant to conserve moisture and condition the soil. Feeding is not necessary, but a light application of fertilizer for acid-loving plants can be done in the spring.

This compact shrub requires minimal pruning. You can lightly prune after flowering to improve next spring’s blooms. Always remove dead or damaged branches at any time to keep the shrub healthy.

Nathan Hale Mountain Laurel Spacing

When growing as a tight hedge, space mountain laurels 6 feet apart, center on center. This will allow branches to eventually touch. If a gap is desired between plants, provide this shrub with 8 feet of space from other plants. Mountain laurels will quickly outgrow most containers, but can be potted temporarily before a permanent site in the ground is found.