Kalmia latifolia / Mountain Laurel

If you’ve spent much time hiking in the Hudson Valley, especially at Black Rock Forest, you’ve probably seen mountain laurel in the under story. Their unique, striking flowers bloom in early summer. For the rest of the year, mountain laurel is valuable as an evergreen, with large, deep green leaves forming from gnarled, twisted stems. Mountain laurel truly looks sculpted. Best in part shade with acidic, moist soil, though can tolerate a wide range of conditions as long as it has some shade and well drained soil.

For plant description and information click below:

https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=KALA