Kalmia polifolia

RHS Plant Profile

bog laurel

Other common names

bog kalmia, eastern bog laurel, swamp laurel, glaucous kalmia

Synonyms

Kalmia glauca

Shrubs

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A small, evergreen shrub growing to a height of 60cm, with sparse branches and thin, glossy, gark green leaves. In mid and late spring, purple-pink saucer shaped flowers are borne

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Sand, Loam, Clay

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Sand Loam Clay

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained
pH: Acid

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–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): H5

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Ericaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
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: N North America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist, acidic soil enriched with acidic organic matter such as leaf mould, in part shade. Sun is tolerated if the soil is kept moist in summer

Propagation

Propagate by greenwood cuttings in summer, hardwood cuttings in midwinter, by seed in winter to early spring or by layering in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 8

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