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Re: [SG] kalmia

Hi Susan,
     Please do include the Mountain Laurel in your garden. You will not
have difficulty establishing the shrub (small tree). Hardiness is not a
problem with most species in your area. Mine has survived and bloomed after
-31 degrees. The new hybrids are a mix of species in some cases and a bit
more adaptable than the species.
    some of my personal recommendation based upon experience. First do not
go for the biggest plant in the smallest pot to get the best bargain. I
went for the large shrubs and lost them. That root system needs to be
spread out a bit when planting. A tangled mess is just that. I now begin
with gallon pots and reasonable size shrubs of around 14 to 18 inches.
    Plant is open shade. I dug my shallow hole about 3 feet in diameter.
Mixed 1/2 mini pine bark chips, some peat and natural soil. Filled back in
until a mound was formed about 4 to 6 inches about normal terrain. Planted
the root ball on top of the mound, spread a bit more mix and then mulched
with more pine chips and leaf mulch. Don't let it dry out the first year.
    There are literally hundreds of cultivars, species and selections to
choose from. many are dwarf and mini if you have a small garden or limited
space. See if you can find the book Kalmia: The Laurel Book II, by R. A.
Jaynes. He is the father of what we know as mountain laurels today in the
nurseries.
Gene Bush     Southern Indiana    Zone 6a     Munchkin Nursery
          around the woods - around the world
genebush@otherside.com     http://www.munchkinnursery.com

----------
> From: Susan Campanini <campanin@NTX1.CSO.UIUC.EDU>
> To: shadegardens@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
> Subject: [SG] kalmia
> Date: Thursday, March 26, 1998 5:09 PM
>
>         I admit it! I have been smitten by color photos in Wayside and
> other glossy catalogues with the beautiful shrub, Kalmia 'Olympic Fire"
> but I'm reluctant to try it without encouragement from others who've
> grown it.  In zone 5b, we can get a lot of heat and humidity in the
> summer as well as considerable below zero (Fahrenheit) winters in the
> years that don't include el nino  :)
>         I have a nice shade bed under a huge maple with lots of leaf
> mold in the soil where I grow ferns, gingers, rhododendrons, a pieris,
> hosta, kirengoshoma, helleborus, gallium, sanguinaria, trillium, and
> other woodland plants. This is where I would plant the kalmia...
>          But from what I've read, the kalmias need to be planted very
> shallowly, need lots of moisture, but excellent drainage, and coolness.
> Is this impossible given my situation?  Do I dare try? I don't lose many
> plants, but it always is very sad for me when I do...
>
> Susan Campanini
> in east central Illinois
> zone 5b, min temp -15F×
> e-mail:  campanin@ntx1.cso.uiuc.edu
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