Kalmia 'Olympic Fire'

The dark red buds of 'Olympic Fire' open to pleasing pink blooms, making a sensational color contrast against the dark, evergreen foliage. This Mountain Laurel is a profuse bloomer.

Kalmia Mountain Laurel is considered by many to be the most beautiful flowering native shrub of eastern North America, and 'Olympic Fire' may be one of the best Kalmias. Hybridized and selected by the late John Eichelser, noted Washington plantsman, this exciting clone has exceptionally glossy leaves and an excellent branching habit. Our offerings of this outstanding evergreen represent the spectacular diversity in flower color of the modern selections.

'Olympic Fire' reaches 4 to 6 feet tall and wide at maturity. Kalmia is slow to propagate, but very easy to grow in the garden in partial shade (especially in the South), and cool, moist, well-drained, aerated, acidic soil. Plant with the root ball high or almost above ground level, hilling up the base with a heavy mulch. Zones 4-8.

Kalmia
Mountain Laurel

Planting:

Set out plants in a well-drained, acid, highly organic soil that is cool and retains abundant moisture, spacing to allow for ultimate growth. Kalmia flowers best in light shade to full sun (so long as ample moisture is available), but is essentially a woodland plant requiring shade in the southern portion of its range.

Maintenance:

Kalmia are surface-rooting, so do not allow them to dry out, especially when newly planted. Water during dry periods, and apply a mulch to conserve moisture. Should the leaves become yellow or spotted with yellow, kalmia is likely suffering from chlorosis, a common condition where the soil is lacking in soluble iron.

Addition of sulphur or aluminum sulfate will reduce the soil pH, and free additional iron to become available to the plant. Prune after flowering as necessary to shape.

Zones:

Zones 4-8

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