Kalmia angustifolia 'RUBRA'

Kalmia angustifolia
Kalmia angustifolia 'RUBRA'
sheep laurel
SIZE/TYPE small shrub
USUAL HEIGHT 0.3-0.6m
USUAL WIDTH 0.4-0.8m
LEAVES evergreen broadleaf
COLOUR OF LEAVES green
FLOWERS showy
COLOUR OF FLOWERS deep pink
BLOOMING TIME June - July
LOCATION full to partial sun
SOIL TYPE acidic (peaty)
SOIL MOISTURE REQUIREMENTS evenly moist (dislikes drought)
USDA zone (lowest) 2   (down to -45°C)
WINTER PROTECTION  
FOR ZONE 5+6 Code of winter protection zone 5+6
FOR ZONE 7 Code of winter protection zone 7
BELONGS TO CATEGORIES Evergreen broadleaf
Rhododendrons, azaleas, and mountain laurels
náhled fotonáhled fotonáhled foto

Sheep laurel is a dwarf version of mountain laurel and comes from southeastern parts of the USA. The leaves look like miniature laurel hence its name. Rubra is probably the best-known variety. It produces masses of deep pink to purple red flowers that open from burgundy red buds in June. They have no scent and the buds are formed the year before so if you want a profusely flowering plant fertilize it from midsummer when the plant starts producing flower buds.

The leaves are evergreen, narrowly elliptic, deep green and slightly hairy when young. They emerge before the flowers open so when the plant is in full bloom new foliage is almost mature. This is also a tricky thing as far as pruning – if pruning kalmias it should be done right after flowering so you will need to lose all new growths. Rubra has upright branches but yet it is mound forming, low shrub that will look great in any garden type or even a patio container.

For a happy life it MUST HAVE acidic soil (add plenty of peat). Plant it in light, well drained soil that has to be well mulched to keep the surface roots moist at all times. Full sun is best for best colouring. Fertilize in spring and early autumn with rhododendron fertilizers. Use water solutions or slow-release fertilizers that will not burn the delicate surface roots. Extremely hardy to about -44°C (USDA zone 2).

Last update 23-02-2012
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NOT IN STOCK? WHY NOT TO TRY A SIMILAR ONE:
Kalmia angustifolia
Kalmia latifolia
GLOSSARY
  • STANDARD QUALITY - Plants of this group are 1st class quality with number of branches and overall density adequate to their size and age, considering they were container grown.
  • DE LUXE QUALITY - This label guarantees a luxurious quality of manually selected plants that, compared to their height and age, are exceptionally dense and beautiful.
  • EXTRA - These plants are usually mature and bigger specimens with exceptional overall appearance.
  • STANDARD (as described in the plant form) means a tree with a trunk of 190-210 cm and a crown at the top, unless specified differently. The commercial size for trees is their girth measured in the height of 1m from ground.
  • HOBBY - These plants are of the same quality as our standard-quality plants but younger and therefore cheaper.
  • SHRUB - a woody plant with branches growing bushy from the ground level.
  • HALF-STANDARD or MINI-STANDARD - a small tree with shorter trunk, its size is usually specified.
  • FEATHERED - These are trees with branches growing already from the base of the trunk and up along the stem.
  • GRASSES and PERENNIALS - Sizes given usually read the diameter of the pot or the clump, as specified.
LARGE PLANTS over 150 cmspecimens, screening and hedging shrubs

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