bog laurel
Kalmia polifolia
USDA zones1 to 5
SunHandles full sun to full shade
WaterHandles moderate to wet soil
Size1 to 3 feet tall1 to 3 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- White , pink
- Foliage color
- Dark green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acidic (pH<6.8)
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Bog laurel (Kalmia polifolia) is an evergreen shrub for borders, shade gardens, and rain gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 1, or down to -60°F (-51°C). This plant likes full sun to full shade and average to wet, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. Small, bell-like, pink flowers cluster in groups of two to five and attract bees. The glossy, leathery leaves stay on the plant all year. On limy soils, iron deficiency can turn the leaves pale, so give it acidic soil.
Pairs well with Graceful Grasses Curly Wurly lamp rush, Russet buffaloberry, and Rocky mountain juniper.
Native range
CT, MA, ME, MI, and 18 more places. See all 22
CT, MA, ME, MI, MN, MT, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, WI; AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, ON, PE, QC, and SK.