Kalmia latifolia 'Elf'

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Kalmia latifolia 'Elf'

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Kemper Code: K810

Common Name: mountain laurel
Zone: 4 to 8
Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
Family: Ericaceae
Missouri Native: No
Native Range: None
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Spread: 2 to 4 feet
Bloom Time: May Bloom Data
Bloom Color: Buds-pink; flowers-white
Sun: Part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium

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Plant Culture and Characteristics

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Uses:		Wildlife:	Flowers:	Leaves:	Fruit:
Hedge	Suitable as annual	Attracts birds	Has showy flowers	Leaves colorful	Has showy fruit
Shade tree	Culinary herb	Attracts	Has fragrant flowers	Leaves fragrant	Fruit edible
Street tree	Vegetable	hummingbirds	Flowers not showy	Good fall color	Other:
Flowering tree	Water garden plant	Attracts	Good cut flower	Evergreen	Winter interest
Gr. cover (<1')	Will naturalize	butterflies	Good dried flower		Thorns or spines

General Culture:

Best grown in moist, acidic, humusy, well-drained soils. Mulch to retain moisture and keep root zone cool. Tolerates wide range of light conditions (full sun to full shade), but best in part shade in the St. Louis area. Raised plantings should be considered in heavy clay soils to promote better drainage. Remove spent flower clusters immediately to promote better bloom for the following year.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

This mountain laurel cultivar is a dwarf, broadleaf evergreen shrub that typically grows 2-3' tall and as wide, but will gradually open up as it matures to 4' wide. Light pink buds open in May to form clusters of nearly white, cup-shaped flowers (to 3/4" across) which typically cover the shrub for several weeks. Narrow-elliptic, leathery, evergreen leaves provide year-round interest similar to that of the related rhododendrons. Although the foliage and height of this dwarf are about 1/2 the size of the species, the flowers are just slightly smaller than the species.

Problems:

Susceptible to leaf spots and blights. Also susceptible to borers, scale, white fly and lace bugs. Adherence to cultural requirements (see above) is particularly important with this plant.

Uses:

Group or mass in shrub borders, woodland gardens, cottage gardens, shade gardens or naturalized areas. Complements rhododendrons and azaleas. This dwarf also fits well into small locations around homes.