A mature Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) growing in a residential garden bed

In the landscape

Accent · Flowering tree · Shade tree · Coastal · Meadow · Naturalized · Woodland · Butterfly

Data sources

Missouri Botanical Garden, NC State Extension

Mountain Laurel

Kalmia latifolia · Perennial

Mountain Laurel is a perennial, hardy in USDA zones 4-9, that matures to about 5–15 ft × 5–15 ft. It does best in part shade with medium water needs in well-drained, moist and occasionally-dry soil. Expect pink, purple and white blooms in spring. It attracts butterflies, hummingbirds and pollinators and stands up well to compaction and deer.

USDA zones: 4-9
Sun: Part shade
Water: Medium
Mature size: 5–15 ft × 5–15 ft
Maintenance: Medium
Soil: Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally-dry
Bloom color: Pink, Purple, White
Bloom season: Spring
Attracts: Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Pollinators, Small mammals
Tough against: Compaction, Deer
Toxic to: People
Native to: Eastern United States

Will it survive your winters?

We score Mountain Laurel’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.

Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.

More plants for your zone: Zone 4 · Zone 5 · Zone 6 · Zone 7 · Zone 8 · Zone 9