Kalmia

This genus has just 7 species, of which K. latifolia, the lovely Mountain Laurel native to the Eastern United States, is widely grown. This marvelous shrub has everything. It is handsome, offering clusters of five-sided, cup-shaped blooms in late spring above glossy, evergreen foliage. It is prized for use amid foundation plantings, and in shrub borders, woodland gardens, and wild naturalized areas. The plants grow well in organically rich, acid soil and do beautifully in the company of other woodland garden favorites including Rhododendrons and Azaleas. Mountain Laurel is pest-resistant. These shrubs grow best in part-shade, but they are tolerant of a range of light conditions including, in our experience, the shady north side of a two-story house. They require afternoon shade in the South.