Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Sarah Mountain Laurel, or Kalmia latifolia Sarah, is an evergreen plant with glossy, leathery, oval leaves that are deep green on the surface, and yellow-ish-green underneath. Standing at a height of 8 to 10 feet, with a spread of 6 to 8 feet, the Sarah blooms in late spring, with large, flamboyant clusters of bubblegum-pink starburst buds that burst open into light-pink chalice-shaped blooms with contrasting white stamens, and ten star-like points. These 1-inch colored flowers stand out beautifully against the vivid green foliage.
Sarah Mountain Laurel, introduced by Richard Jaynes, is native to eastern North America, and has an upright, mounding, compact growing habit. This slow grower is cold and shade tolerant to zero degrees. It’s deer and critter resistant, as well as resistant to leaf spot and other common plant diseases. It can tolerate more sun than other similar cultivars, and attracts butterflies and other pollinators.
Sarah Mountain Laurel Care
Sarah Mountain Laurel should be planted in the spring after the danger of frost has passed. Plant your Mountain Laurel in acidic, humus-rich soil. It does not grow well in clay. It prefers full to partial shade and needs protection from winter sun and winds, which can cause dehydration. Your Sarah Mountain Laurel should be watered regularly and kept in moist soil.
Prune your laurel in the late spring, immediately after it flowers, but only to maintain the shape you desire. It is otherwise low-maintenance. Cut branches to just above a set of leaves to encourage fresh growth.
Sarah Mountain Laurel Spacing
Sarah Mountain Laurel should be spaced at least 4 to 6 feet apart from center to center. It makes an elegant foundation option, and it pairs beautifully with rhododendrons and azaleas. They are fantastic for a pop of vibrant color in any rustic or woodland garden. They work well in pots and containers, so long as they have good drainage.
Sarah Mountain Laurel Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 8 |
| Plant Type: Bushes |
| Light Exposure: Partial Sun to Full Sun (At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight) |
| Mature Height: 8 - 10 Feet |
| Mature Spread: 6 8 Feet |
| Spacing: 6 - 8 Feet |
| Habit: Mounded |
| Flower Color(s): Pink |
| Flower Description: Deep, Pinkish-Red |
| Bloom Period: |
| Foliage Type: Evergreen |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Foliage Description: |
| Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering |
| Watering: Average |
| Resists: Deer |
| Tolerates: Drought |
| Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Container Role: |
| Uses: Specimen or Focal Point, Wildlife Gardens |
| Features: Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flowers, Low Maintenance |
| Brand: |
| Common Name: Sarah Mountain Laurel |
| Other Name(s): |
| Scientific Name: KALMIA LATIFOLIA `SARAH` |
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, 2025 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.
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
| Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
|---|---|
| Zone 10 | March 31th |
| Zone 9 | March 31st |
| Zone 8 | April 7th |
| Zone 7 | April 14th |
| Zone 6b | April 21st |
| Zone 6a | April 28th |
| Zone 5b | May 5th |
| Zone 5a | May 12th |
| Zone 4 | May 19th |
| Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
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: AZ, CA, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, 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!