Kalmia latifolia 'Olympic Fire'

RHS Plant Profile

mountain laurel 'Olympic Fire'

Shrubs

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A dense bushy evergreen shrub with wavy-margined glossy, dark green leaves. From late spring to midsummer produces large clusters of large cup-shaped crimped pink flowers 2.5cm across, opening from red buds

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 2.5-4 metres
Max Height: 2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: North–facing or West–facing or East–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: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
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: Accepted

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, propagate by layering in late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Low Maintenance
Hedging and screens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 8, pruning not required but renovation should take place over several seasons

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