Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
The glossy evergreen foliage and brilliant red flower buds of Nipmuck mountain laurel bridge the gap between spring-blooming bulbs and summer perennials while providing 12 months of interest to the garden. The long-lasting, deep red buds open into striking pale pink flowers that last for weeks, providing native pollinators an early source for nectar. Kalmia latifolia The glossy, deep-green foliage looks fresh for a full 12 months and provides plenty of shelter and protection for birds and other small animals. ‘Nipmuck’ is a compact and smaller cultivar that is perfect for growing as a foundation plant or a low-growing hedge in smaller yards.
Mountain laurel is a great choice to plant in shadier spots of the garden. Deer rarely browse on mountain laurel because all parts of the plant are toxic. Mountain laurel is easy to care for once it is established in the landscape. Nipmuck mountain laurel grows well in USDA zones 4-8 with no extra care over the winter.
Nipmuck Mountain Laurel Care
Mountain laurels require highly acidic soil with a pH ~5.0 or less to thrive. A location in bright shade or partial shade will encourage the best blooming and deep leaf color. Full sun exposure may scorch the leaves and weaken the shrub over time. Nipmuck grows well in average soil with good moisture retention. Annual mulching with organic material such as compost, finely shredded leaves, or arborist chips will help the soil stay cool and retain moisture, while also suppressing weeds through the growing season.
Prune Nipmuck mountain laurel lightly after flowering in the spring to maintain a compact and manageable shape. Cut the spent flowers back to a group of leaves, ensuring that no bare stems are left on the plant. Mountain laurel takes time to recover from hard pruning. Any pruning needs to be completed by early summer, so the wounds can heal before freezing temperatures arrive in the fall.
Nipmuck Mountain Laurel Spacing
Nipmuck is a very compact variety of mountain laurel, reaching a height and width of 6-8 feet. Shrubs will need 6 feet of space from center to center when planting a hedge. Mountain laurel can be underplanted with herbaceous perennials and bulbs to create an ever-changing display of color. Place plants at least one foot away from the bottom branches of more mature shrubs.
Nipmuck Mountain Laurel Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 4 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 Part Shade (0-4 Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 6-8 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 6-8 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Green, Pink
- Flower Description
- Dense, round, green and pink blooms
- 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
- Dark Green
- Foliage Type
- , Evergreen
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Nipmuck Mountain Laurel
- Also Known As
- Nipmuck Mountain Laurel
- Botanical Name
- Kalmia lat. Nipmuck
- 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
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