Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Kalmia latifolia, or the Yankee Doodle mountain laurel, is a North American native, so it is easy to maintain, especially once its acclimated. This shrub puts on a stunning floral display during the spring but continues to provide color and visual interest throughout the year. Red buds emerge in clusters during the spring, and the unique, single-petal flowers open later in the season to showcase light pink flowers with a maroon band. The glossy green elliptical leaves are light green, and as a broadleaf evergreen, the foliage stays in place year-round.
Mountain laurel has a branched, upright growth habit. This is a slow-growing shrub with a naturally rounded form. Feature the mountain laurel in mass plantings, borders, or as a foundation planting, especially in landscapes with a woodland look. This shrub grows in zones 5 through 8.
Yankee Doodle Mountain Laurel Care
Mountain laurel performs best in partial sun. Too much sunlight and the foliage will develop a yellow hue; not enough light and the flowering may not be as prolific. Plant this shrub in moist but well-drained, acidic soil. Make sure not to position the crown below the soil level when planting because this can cause rot and eventual death. Yankee Doodle prefers evenly moist soil. Young shrubs need water several days a week for the first few weeks, but acclimated shrubs need water weekly, or whenever the top couple inches of soil feel dry.
Shape the shrub in the spring as needed after the flowers fade. Mountain laurel is resilient; leggy plants can handle an aggressive, rejuvenating trim. Remove damaged or dead branches at any time. Plants in areas with high wind or particularly cold winter weather will benefit from protection.
Yankee Doodle Mountain Laurel Spacing
The Yankee Doodle Mountain Laurel will grow 8 to 10 feet wide and tall. Space shrubs 8 feet apart so each plant has room to grow without crowding its neighbors.
Yankee Doodle 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 Part Shade (0-4 Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 8-10 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 8-10+ Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Pink
- Flower Description
- Pink shades, red buds
- 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
- Yankee Doodle Mountain Laurel
- Also Known As
- Yankee Doodle Mountain Laurel
- Botanical Name
- Kalmia lat. Yankee Doodle
- 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.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!