Kaleidoscope Mountain Laurel

Kaleidoscope opens brilliant red buds into flowers where a broad cinnamon-red band almost fills the white cup, leaving only a thin white rim. This Richard Jaynes introduction is a selection of the native Kalmia latifolia, growing 8 to 10 feet tall and wide in part shade to full shade, hardy from Zone 5 through Zone 8. It flowers later than most mountain laurels, which stretches the season past the earlier selections. The habit is well-branched and wide-upright, and it grows vigorously. New growth emerges reddish before hardening to glossy deep green. It handles deeper shade than most mountain laurels, which makes it usable under a mature canopy. Mountain laurel wants acidic, moist, well-drained soil and struggles in heavy clay or alkaline ground. Mulch the shallow roots. Deer leave it alone.