Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Tinkerbell is a Mountain Laurel with delicate pink blooms, but the same reliably vigorous growth of the native shrub. The dark pink flower buds open to the palest pink flowers for a touch of softness in even the darkest part of any shady garden. The evergreen leaves add year round interest to wherever this reliable bloomer is planted and would look great mixed in with other broadleaf evergreens such as Azalea and Rhododendron.
Tinkerbell is versatile as a foundation planted shrub, used in a woodland plant in groups or as part of an informal or native hedge. Maybe that is why Tinkerbell was the 2003 University of Vermont winner for Woody Plants. Mountain Laurel is also a wonderful attractor of wildlife in the garden. BIrds, hummingbirds and native bees all make great use of this tough shrub.
Tinkerbell Mountain Laurel Care
Mountain Laurel are not very fussy about what kind of soil they grow in. Clay, sand and loam is fine. The soil needs to be moisture retentive and well drained. Mulching in the winter will help to bulk up the soil so that it holds moisture through the summer. Extra irrigation may be necessary during extreme hot or dry periods. Tinkerbell will appreciate a soil pH of neutral to acidic range and as well as an annual acid loving plant fertilizer applied early in the spring. A slow release food will provide nutrients all growing season.
Pruning couldn't be easier. After this shrub is finished blooming, all that is needed is a quick deadheading to keep this compact grower in shape. Watering can be made easier by installing drip irrigation or soaker hoses to the garden beds.
Tinkerbell Mountain Laurel Spacing
Tinkerbell is really on the small end of the Mountain Laurel family and deserves to be planted in a spot that it will really be seen. As a low growing informal hedge around a garden or in a group for color impact, proper spacing is needed to keep Mountain Laurels growing vigorous and disease free. Placing shrubs 4 feet center on center is recommended.
Tinkerbell 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
- 4-5 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 4-5 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Consistently Moist
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Pink
- Flower Description
- Pink
- 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
- Tinkerbell Mountain Laurel
- Botanical Name
- KALMIA LATIFOLIA 'TINKERBELL'
- 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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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.
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