Kalmia 'Peppermint'

The blooms begin as blush-pink buds, delightfully many-pointed, then burst into bloom. Deeply cup-shaped, they retain their somewhat angular form, with six distinct "sides" discernible in the large, crowded cluster of color. Resembling old-fashioned beach cabanas or parasols, they evoke a cheery, holiday feeling.

This shrub reaches just 4 feet tall and 3 1/2 feet wide over a 10-year period -- a bit less rangy than many Kalmias, and much more rounded and dense. A superb foundation planting in partial shade, they are also a splendid addition to bed or border, making a nice backdrop to spring-flowering bulbs and mid- to late-summer blooming perennials. For a striking combination of colors that may bloom over the 4th of July, try planting hardy Geranium 'Johnson's Blue' at the base of 'Peppermint,' or follow the Kalmia's early-season color with a tremendous flush of pure blue from midsummer to frost with a back-of-the-border planting of Hibiscus 'Blue Bird.'

Mountain Laurel does well in light shade and cool, moist soil that is well-drained and aerated. In the wild it can be found clinging to slopes, and is perfectly at home in the woodland garden. Plant with the root ball almost above ground level, hilling up the base with a rich, heavy mulch. Zones 4-8. Cannot ship any Kalmia latifolia to Oregon or Washington.