Kalmia procumbens

RHS Plant Profile

alpine azalea

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Other common names

minezuo, mountain azalea, trailing azalea

Synonyms

Loiseleuria procumbens
Azalea procumbens

Shrubs

A prostrate, native, evergreen shrub forming low mounds or large mats of creeping stems rooting freely along the ground with tiny, leathery dark green leaves about 8mm long. Clusters of small, bell-shaped pink flowers produced at the ends of the stems in late spring

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Ericaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Matforming, Trailing
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs, cats, rabbits, tortoises): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Kalmia are evergreen shrubs with simple, leathery leaves and racemes or corymbs of bowl-shaped flowers in spring or summer
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Northern Hemisphere (Arctic, sub-Acrtic, sub-Alpine)

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moisture-retentive, humus-rich, acid soil in part shade, or in sun if soil remains reliably moist. Mulch anually with leaf mould or composted pine needles

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in midsummer or by layering in late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance
Banks and slopes
Ground cover

Pruning

No pruning required

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