Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia 'Raspberry Glow')
Kalmia latifolia 'Raspberry Glow' is a compact Mountain laurel offering showy, raspberry-pink blooms from May to June in zones 4-9.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Kalmia latifolia ‘Raspberry Glow’ provides exceptional spring interest, distinguishing itself as a compact cultivar perfect for defined garden spaces. This beautiful Mountain laurel cultivar is prized for its striking flower buds, which emerge a rich burgundy red before opening into vibrant raspberry-pink blossoms. As a member of the Ericaceae family, it shares key soil preferences with rhododendrons and azaleas, demanding acidic, well-drained conditions.
The appeal of Kalmia latifolia ‘Raspberry Glow’ extends beyond its spectacular spring display; it offers dense, glossy evergreen foliage year-round, providing excellent structure in the landscape. While the species can reach large tree sizes, this selected variety maintains a manageable, rounded habit, typically maturing around 4 to 5 feet tall and wide. Gardeners welcome this Mountain laurel for its reliable performance in partial shade settings where many other flowering shrubs struggle.
This woody perennial is native to Eastern North America, lending it excellent hardiness in cooler regions, specified by its range in USDA Zones 4 through 9. Cultivating Kalmia latifolia ‘Raspberry Glow’ successfully means replicating its preferred cool, moist, and acidic woodland environment, ensuring better drainage, especially in heavier soils.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Ericaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 4-5 ft
- Spread: 4-5 ft
- Bloom Time: May to June
- Bloom Description: Raspberry pink
- Sun Exposure: Part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Establish your Kalmia latifolia ‘Raspberry Glow’ in the cool, moist, rich, acidic, humusy, and well-drained soils it prefers. The ideal location receives morning sun followed by protection from intense mid-afternoon heat, classifying its best exposure as part shade. If your existing soil is heavy clay, consider planting in raised beds to significantly enhance drainage, as standing water is detrimental to this shrub.
Consistent moisture is crucial, making a medium water regimen appropriate once established. Mulching deeply around the root zone helps retain this necessary moisture and keeps the roots cool, which is vital for the health of Mountain laurel species. Fertilization is generally light, focusing on maintaining the correct acidic pH rather than heavy feeding.
After the showy flowers fade in June, immediately remove the spent flower clusters (deadheading). This practice encourages better energy allocation toward foliage production and next year’s flower set. Prune only lightly after blooming to shape the plant and encourage a denser, bushier habit; avoid heavy pruning, especially in late summer or fall.
Landscape Uses
Kalmia latifolia ‘Raspberry Glow’ shines as a superior flowering shrub for creating structure in mixed borders or mass plantings within woodland settings. Its evergreen nature makes it an excellent choice for foundation plantings where year-round texture is desired, providing an architectural element even in winter. This cultivar blends particularly well when situated alongside acid-loving companions like rhododendrons and azaleas, creating complementary layers of spring color.
This variety performs exceptionally well when used to establish formal or informal hedges due to its manageable 4-5 foot size and dense growth habit. For a naturalized area, group several plants together to mimic their native woodland margin habitat, allowing the unique raspberry-pink blooms to create a significant focal point in late spring.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Kalmia latifolia, commonly called mountain laurel, is noted for its excellent spring flowers and quality year-round foliage, offering an exceptional bloom of cup-shaped flowers that are raspberry-pink with white overtones in this cultivar. ‘Raspberry Glow’ is specifically valued as a compact shrub, maturing to 4-5’ tall, and features attractively twisting, glossy deep green leaves in addition to its beautiful blooms.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
Potential Problems
Mountain laurel can be susceptible to several fungal issues, including leaf spots and various blights, which often manifest when humidity is high or air circulation is poor. Furthermore, sap-sucking insects such as scale and white flies, along with lace bugs, can weaken the shrub. Improving air circulation through thoughtful spacing and adhering strictly to proper watering techniques (avoiding overhead watering late in the day) helps mitigate common fungal susceptibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Mountain laurel suitable for?
Kalmia latifolia ‘Raspberry Glow’ thrives across a wide range of climates, specified for USDA Zones 4-9.
How large does Kalmia latifolia ‘Raspberry Glow’ grow?
This compact cultivar is expected to reach a mature height between 4 and 5 feet, with a similar spread of 4 to 5 feet.
What sun exposure does Mountain laurel need?
The best location for this shrub is part shade, generally meaning exposure to morning sunlight followed by afternoon shade will prevent scorching and promote vigorous blooming.
When does Kalmia latifolia ‘Raspberry Glow’ bloom?
This Mountain laurel variety blooms reliably mid-season, typically from May into June, showcasing stunning raspberry-pink flowers.
Conclusion
The Kalmia latifolia ‘Raspberry Glow’ is an indispensable shrub for gardeners seeking reliable, colorful evergreen structure combined with the spectacular display of Mountain laurel flowers. Its compact size and striking raspberry-pink hues make it a standout performer in the woodland or border setting. Before planting, ensure your site provides the acidic soil and partial shade this choice cultivar demands to enjoy decades of seasonal beauty.
Companion Planting
When grouping Kalmia latifolia ‘Raspberry Glow’ in a landscape, focus on other acid-loving, shade-tolerant plants to meet shared cultural needs. Consider using native ferns, which thrive in the cool, moist conditions preferred by Mountain laurel, to provide textural contrast beneath the shrub canopy. Hostas, especially those with lighter green or variegated foliage, offer excellent shade tolerance and look beautiful alongside the glossy leaves of this cultivar.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Early spring is the ideal time to apply an acidic mulch layer around the base of your Mountain laurel to maintain soil temperatures and moisture levels before active growth begins. Summer care centers on consistent watering, especially during dry spells, ensuring the soil never fully dries out, which is necessary to support the Raspberry Glow blooms and subsequent foliage development. In fall, focus on ensuring the plant is well-watered before the ground freezes, as this evergreen requires moisture throughout the winter months to prevent desiccation.
