PLANT FINDER

Description:

A stunning compact spring blooming broadleaf evergreen shrub for exacting conditions, with amazing frilled light pink flowers and colorful emergent foliage; must have superbly drained highly acidic and organic soil with a heavy mulch

Ornamental Features

Miniature Mountain Laurel features showy clusters of white cup-shaped flowers with pink eyes and pink spots at the ends of the branches from mid to late spring, which emerge from distinctive hot pink flower buds. It has attractive dark green evergreen foliage which emerges deep purple in spring. The glossy pointy leaves are highly ornamental and remain dark green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Miniature Mountain Laurel is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a more or less rounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Miniature Mountain Laurel is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Miniature Mountain Laurel will grow to be about 6 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 7 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This shrub performs well in both full sun and full shade. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth, but will die in standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is very fussy about its soil conditions and must have rich, acidic soils to ensure success, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the foliage in alkaline soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selection of a native North American species.