mountain laurel

Plant Type

Shrub (less than 10 ft)

Life Cycle

Perennial

Typical Size

5-15 ft. tall
5-15 ft. wide

Tolerant of

Drought

Inolerant of

Poorly Drained Soil, Direct Afternoon Sun

Propagation

By seed, By cutting

Plant Propagation Notes

Take softwood, stem tip cuttings in fall from plants that are 2-3 years old. Seeds can be collected in the fall and require cold moist stratification for 90 days. Optimal temperature for germination is 74 degrees F and can take up to 6 weeks.

Plant Planting Notes

Mulching helps provide the cool moist environment the root systems prefer.

Plants/Diseases

Some susceptibility to leaf spot/blights, leaf borers, scale, and white fly.

Wildlife Benefits

Nectar/pollen source for pollinating insects, Nectar source for hummingbirds

Leaves

Leaves alternate or whorled along toward the ends of branches. Leaf blades are elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate with entire margins and smooth upper and lower surfaces.

Flowers

Showy white to pink flowers in clusters. Petals fused to form a saucer shape. Stamens are stuck in small pockets within the petals and release when triggered by pollinator visitors.

Fruit

The brown capsules develop in the fall and persist through winter.

Bark

Smooth, thin dark red-brown bark shreds and splits vertically.

Toxicity

All parts of the plant are toxic to mammals and should not be ingested.

USDA Hardiness Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Light Exposure

Part Sun/Shade, Full Shade

Soil Moisture

Medium, Moist

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acidic (less than 6.0)

Native in South Carolina?

Yes

Plant Native Habitat

Acidic forest, bluffs, bogs, and along sandhill streams.

Global Conservation Status (NatureServe)

Secure (G5)

Federal Conservation Status (USFWS)

Not Listed

Distribution Notes

Very common in mountainous regions, but less so in the lower Piedmont and Coastal Plain.