Kalmia latifolia 'KALEIDOSCOPE'

Honestly, we are nuts about kalmias – mountain laurels. Not very well known, these mid-sized shrubs deserve more attention as they belong to the most beautiful flowering evergreen shrubs of our climate. They come from south-eastern USA and the Asian mountains where they grow under taller trees.

Kaleidoscope is another mountain laurel with dark-coloured flowers. They are mostly dark cinnamon red to deep burgundy red with a conspicuous white margin, and open from deep red buds. It was bred by Richard Jaynes in 1987. Leathery leaves are elongated, flat, medium green. This variety forms a dense shrub of taller rather than wide habit.

There are many cultivars combining all sorts of red, pink and burgundy shades with white, all of them beautiful, all of them very hardy. The best display is when half of the bloom cluster is still in buds which mostly have a different colour than the flowers themselves.

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 autumn with rhododendron fertilizers. Use water solutions or slow-release fertilizers that will not burn the delicate surface roots. Fully hardy to -34°C (USDA zone 4).

Last update 25-12-2008.