how to plant a mountain laurel tree

Plant mountain laurel in well-drained, cool, moist, acidic soil in USDA zones 5-9. Good drainage is essential to avoid rot. If drainage is an issue in your garden, consider planting this shrub in a raised bed. Mountain laurel will grow in deep shade to full sun but is happiest in moderate to partial shade.

How much sun does a mountain laurel need?

Mountain laurel will grow in USDA Zones 5 to 9 in deep shade to full sun, but it does best in moderate to partial shade. In deep shade it won't produce as many flowers and can become spindly. Too-bright sun can cause scorching of the leaves.

How fast do Texas mountain laurels grow?

Texas mountain laurel does not grow fast in the best conditions, but you can increase the growth rate to about two feet per year if it is growing in good soil and it is fertilized twice per year.

Is Mountain Laurel invasive?

Mountain Laurel- a great native replacement for Barberry, an invasive plant.

How tall does mountain laurel grow?

The mountain-laurel grows to a height of 7–15' and a spread of 7–15' at maturity.

Are mountain laurels hard to grow?

It is a relatively slow-growing shrub, adding about one foot per year. While mountain laurel is particular about its soil needs, this plant is easy to grow in the right environment. It is a good flowering shrub for mass plantings in shady shrub borders, woodland gardens, or for foundation plantings.

How do I encourage Laurel growth?

Use a Fertiliser

Using fertiliser is a great way to encourage laurel growth. Established laurels grow better with the help of balanced fertilisers such as Rootgrow fertiliser, whereas new laurels struggling to establish and grow prefer a natural, organic fertiliser such as Bonemeal.

Are Texas mountain laurels messy?

In our research, we never found anyone who said "this is one messy plant!", but we're not sure just how messy it would be in relation to your swimming pool filter. Although evergreen, it is going to shed some leaves year-round to be replaced by new ones.

What grows well with mountain laurel?

Companion Planting and Design

Grow mountain laurel with other broadleaf evergreens, such as rhododendrons and pieris. Plant mountain laurel in a woodland setting under tall deciduous trees or at the forest's edge.

Is Texas mountain laurel poisonous to dogs?

Mountain Laurel: This beautiful flowering plant can be quite toxic to both dogs and cats. The toxin associated with this plan results in abnormal functioning of muscles and nerves. Common symptoms include lethargy, drooling, uncoordinated walking, and a decreased heart rate.

Is it illegal to pick mountain laurel?

But there are no legal restrictions on the cultivation of mountain laurel." In addition, on public land in Pennsylvania, “cutting, picking, digging, damaging or removing, in whole or in part, a living or dead tree, shrub or plant” is illegal.

What animal eats mountain laurel?

Because these plants are consumed by deer only as a last resort, deer can actually promote the growth of these plants. By eating all the other plants, deer browsing eliminates the competition clearing the path for mountain laurel (and heath family) expansion.

Is Mountain Laurel poisonous to touch?

From leaf to stem to branch, mountain laurel is poisonous in all its forms. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it can even be fatal to both humans and some animals. The way it takes victims out isn't overly pleasant either.

Do hummingbirds like mountain laurel?

This plant attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees (although their honey will be toxic and should be avoided). Protect the delicate fibrous mountain laurel roots with a two-to-six-inch layer of mulch.

Which is the fastest growing laurel?

One of the most popular choices for privacy hedging, the cherry laurel is extremely fast growing. Also known as common laurel, this evergreen species thrives in shadier conditions as well as in direct sunlight. Growth wise, you can expect about 60cm per year in average conditions.

Do mountain laurels lose their leaves in winter?

Extreme cold is another reason for mountain laurel leaf drop. In areas that get sustained freezes, plant mountain laurels in a slightly sheltered location. Lack of water will also cause dropped leaves. Provide deep watering once per week in dry conditions.

What's the difference between mountain laurel and rhododendron?

Mountain laurel's are smooth and a paler shade of green than their top side. While Rhododendron's leaves are also a paler shade of green on the underside, in addition, they are covered in a brown fuzz. ... Rhododendron leaves are longer than Mountain laurel leaves.

Does English laurel grow in shade?

The English laurel thrives with more direct sun in cooler climates, while it prefers some shade in more extreme heat zones. The shrub's large, glossy evergreen leaves are beautiful and recover easily from shearing, which makes the plant great for regular pruning.

Will deer eat mountain laurel?

Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is one of the few native evergreen shrubs that deer largely ignore. Mountain laurel grows in the wild in various locations throughout New Hampshire. It is often used in landscapes due to its abundant, unusual flowers in late spring.

What is the best fertilizer for laurels?

When you are planting a new Laurel hedge we always recommend using bone meal, this is a natural organic fertiliser that should be well mixed with the soil. One kilo of bone meal will be sufficient for a 15 metres of hedge planting.

What months do laurels grow?

Bare-root laurel hedging plants can only be planted from November to March (i.e while the plants are dormant over the winter). Root-balled laurel are dug from the field with a ball of soil around the roots.

Will Laurel grow under trees?

Laurel is quick-growing and evergreen. ... Laurel will grow in most soils in full sun or heavy shade, in fact you quite often see it planted under tree canopies in National Trust and other estates and kept trimmed to a low height to keep down the brambles and bracken.