Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is a flowering broadleaf evergreen shrub with a gnarly, multi-stemmed growth habit. It has pretty flowers in the spring and nice glossy dark green leaves that look like rhododendron leaves. It also has gnarled stems that make it look nice all year. This shrub likes to be in the shade and blooms in late May to early June with clusters of rose, pink, or white flowers with purple spots. If the flowers are not deadheaded, nondescript brown fruits will appear. Many different cultivars are available that offer various sizes and bloom colors.
Mountain laurel is a relatively slow-growing shrub that grows dense and round, adding about one foot per year. Mountain laurel is picky about the soil it grows in, but if you give it what it needs, it’s easy to grow. It is a good flowering shrub for mass plantings in shady shrub borders, woodland gardens, or foundation plantings. It partners well with rhododendrons and azaleas.
Mountain laurel grows naturally in the eastern United States, from New England to the panhandle of Florida and from southern Indiana to Louisiana.
With its glossy evergreen leaves and beautiful spring blooms, mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is a prized ornamental shrub. Native to the eastern United States it thrives in dappled shade and is ideal for woodland gardens. But buying mature plants can be expensive. Luckily with some patience you can grow mountain laurel from seed at home.
Here is a step-by-step guide to mountain laurel seed germination and growing seedlings successfully
Gathering and Preparing Seeds
The first step is collecting fresh mountain laurel seeds in early fall when the seed pods ripen and split open
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Identify seed pods that have turned brown and dry. Pinch them open to check for plump, viable seeds inside.
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Collect pods into paper bags and allow them to further dry and split open naturally. This releases the small winged seeds.
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Shake the bags well to separate seeds from pod debris. Pick out any unsplit pods, bits of leaves or dirt.
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Store the cleaned seeds in an airtight container in the refrigerator until planting time.
Before sowing, mountain laurel seeds need scarification and stratification to break dormancy:
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Scarify seeds by gently scratching the outer seed coat with sandpaper. Soak in water overnight. This softens the seed coat so moisture can penetrate.
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For stratification, seal seeds in a plastic bag with damp peat moss or vermiculite. Store at 40°F for 3-4 months. This cold exposure mimics winter conditions outdoors.
When to Plant Mountain Laurel Seeds
Mountain laurel seeds require light as well as cold treatment to trigger germination. Plant seeds outdoors in late fall or early winter to expose them to natural winter conditions.
You can also sow seeds indoors in winter. Just provide cold stratification in the refrigerator before planting.
Outdoors: Choose a planting site with morning sun and afternoon shade. Prepare a seedbed by loosening soil and mixing in peat moss or leaf mold.
Sow seeds on the soil surface in late fall. Cover with a thin layer of mulch for protection.
Indoors: Sow stratified seeds in containers filled with a sandy potting mix. Cover seeds lightly and water gently with a spray bottle to avoid washing them away.
Place containers outdoors in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse over winter. This ensures seeds experience appropriate cold temperatures.
Caring for Seedlings
Mountain laurel seeds typically begin germinating after 12-16 weeks of cold stratification as temperatures warm in spring:
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Keep seeds moist but not saturated as they germinate. Light misting is sufficient, avoid heavy watering.
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Once seedlings emerge, move containers to a sunny sheltered spot outdoors. Protect from frost and wind which can damage tender young growth.
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Thin seedlings to the strongest 3-4 per pot. Provide high humidity, shade, and frequent misting as they establish.
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Slowly transition seedlings to more sun over a period of 2-3 weeks. Water whenever the potting mix begins to dry out.
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After a year when plants have developed a sturdy root system, transplant outdoors in fall or the following spring after hardening off.
Transplanting Mountain Laurel
When moving seedlings into your garden, select a site with dappled shade and acidic, organic soil:
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Prepare planting holes larger than the root ball, mixing in peat moss to improve moisture retention.
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Carefully separate seedlings, keeping the root ball intact. Place in hole at same depth as in container, backfilling around roots.
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Water thoroughly after planting and cover area with 2-3 inches of pine needle mulch. Mist leaves daily for the first week.
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Continue watering young plants during dry periods for the first two years until fully established.
Troubleshooting Problems
Here are some potential issues and how to resolve them:
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Seeds failing to germinate: Ensure they underwent proper scarification and stratification. Sow again with fresh seeds.
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Leggy, weak growth: Increase sunlight gradually as seedlings establish but avoid hot midday sun. Pinch back tips to encourage bushy growth.
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Leaf scorch: Move plants to a shadier location. Water frequently and mist leaves during dry, windy conditions.
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Failure to thrive after transplant: Amend soil with acidic organic matter. Mulch to retain moisture. Water deeply during drought.
Growing beautiful mountain laurels from seed takes time and care. But the time invested yields handsome evergreen shrubs that provide years of enjoyment with their showy spring blooms and delightful fragrance. With the proper steps, you can propagate these woodland beauties cost-effectively.
Pruning
Mountain laurel requires little pruning. Dead or broken branches can be removed at any time. Shaping pruning should be done in the spring, just after blooming is completed. Spent flower clusters should be deadheaded after the blooms fade.
If your mountain laurel plants get too tall or straggly for your design, cut them back almost to the ground to make them look better. These tough shrubs can take a severe pruning when necessary. New leaves will grow from stubs just a few inches above the ground. In about ten years, your plants will grow back into big shrubs.
Fertilizer
If you want to feed this bush in the spring, use an acid fertilizer made for azaleas and rhododendrons. Feeding will encourage more vigorous blooming. For the amount, follow the instructions on the fertilizer label.
How to Grow Mountain Laurel Plants from Seeds : Growing Mountain Laurels: Part 1
FAQ
Is it hard to grow mountain laurel from seed?
How long to soak Texas Mountain Laurel seeds?
How do you grow laurel from seed?
Is mountain laurel easy to grow?
Can you grow mountain laurel from cuttings?
It is also possible to grow mountain laurel from cuttings. This may be a good option if you already have one plant growing and want to cheaply clone it to create a larger patch. Start by taking six to eight-inch cuttings from healthy current year growth. This could be in early spring, or between August and December, depending on the climate.
How long does it take for mountain laurel to grow?
Mountain laurel can take up to three years to grow from seed. You must plant the seeds in a pot with fertile soil for them to sprout faster and more easily. You should also dig your hole at least six inches deep so that roots have enough room to spread out when the tree starts growing taller. Can Mountain Laurel grow in full sun?
How tall does mountain laurel grow?
Mountain Laurel will grow up to 15′-20′ (5-7 m) tall depending on conditions. Mountain Laurel can resemble a round bush/shrub, or a small tree depending on where it is grown. Technically Mountain Laurel is a shrub, and will grow foliage where ever sunlight is available.
How do you grow mountain laurel?
These include site, temperature, soil, and moisture. Growing mountain laurel from seed starts with harvest and acquisition. After bloom, the plant develops five chambered, globe-shaped capsules. When ripe and dried, they burst open and release seeds in autumn. Strong winds disperse the seed to other sites.