Kalmia angustifolia var. angustifolia f. candida
shining white sheep laurel
Bushy evergreen shrub about 1m high, forming a thicket of upright stems bearing lance-shaped, glossy dark green leaves 6cm long. Produces clusters of distinctively crimped, small cup-shaped, white flowers, 1cm across, from mid to late spring
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy, Suckering
- Potentially harmful
- Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
Kalmia are evergreen shrubs with simple, leathery leaves and racemes or corymbs of bowl-shaped flowers in spring or summer
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moist but well-drained acidic soil in partial shade, or in sun where the soil remains reliably moist; mulch in spring with leaf mould or well-rotted pine needles
Propagation
Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in midsummer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Pruning group 8. Tolerant of hard pruning
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility
Get involved
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