Almanac Planting Co: This close-up image of the Keepsake Mountain Laurel captures the bold contrast between unopened ruby-colored buds and the glossy, open blooms with white-bordered petals and pale green centers. A perfect visual for showcasing this standout flowering shrub.

Almanac Planting Co: A rich cluster of deep red Keepsake Mountain Laurel blooms burst open in this vibrant photo. The star-like buds and saturated red flowers with crisp white edges make this Kalmia latifolia cultivar a striking highlight in any native or woodland garden.

Mountain Laurel 'Keepsake'

Regular Price: $64.95

Sale Price: $64.95
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SHIPPING RESTRICTION: In order for us to protect the environment and comply with regulations, we're unable to ship this product to the following state: OR

Kalmia latifolia 'Keepsake'

Overview

Uses: Excellent for woodland gardens, shaded borders, and specimen plantings. Great for foundation plantings and naturalized areas.

Benefits: Deep burgundy-red buds open into rich maroon-purple flowers with bright white centers. Glossy evergreen foliage provides year-round appeal.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 8

Sun: Partial shade to full shade

Life Cycle: Perennial

Mature Height: 5' - 6'

Mature Width: 4' - 5'

Bloom Season: Late spring

Summary

A bold and unique Mountain Laurel that brings deep, dramatic color to the garden.

Kalmia latifolia 'Keepsake', commonly known as Mountain Laurel 'Keepsake', is a standout broadleaf evergreen shrub known for its unusually dark blooms. In late spring, it produces rich burgundy buds that unfurl into maroon-purple flowers with striking white centers—offering one of the most dramatic floral displays of any mountain laurel cultivar.

Its compact, upright growth habit and evergreen foliage make it a reliable structural element in shaded or woodland-style gardens. It performs best in partial shade but can tolerate deeper shade as well, making it useful in areas where other flowering shrubs may struggle.

Keepsake is particularly useful in foundation beds, shady borders, and naturalized plantings. Its strong deer resistance and evergreen presence make it a durable choice for year-round interest.

Care

Mountain Laurel 'Keepsake' Care

Plant in partial to full shade to avoid leaf scorch and encourage healthy blooms. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal for best flowering and leaf color.

Soil should be moist, acidic, well-draining, and enriched with organic matter. Avoid heavy or alkaline soils, which can impact growth and leaf color.

Water regularly during the first season to establish strong roots. After establishment, this shrub is moderately drought tolerant but still benefits from occasional deep watering in dry periods.

Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer designed for acid-loving plants in early spring. Our slow release fertilizer is a great option.

Mulch around the base of the plant to help retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and reduce weed competition.

Deadhead spent flower clusters after blooming to maintain appearance and prevent seed formation. Prune lightly if needed to shape or remove any damaged growth.

Space plants 4 to 5 feet apart to allow for natural spreading and proper air circulation.

Size

What Size is Mountain Laurel 'Keepsake' for Sale Online?

Our Mountain Laurel 'Keepsake' plants are shipped in greenhouse-grade grow pots. Each plant is appropriately sized for its container. For specific inquiries, please contact us.

How Large Does Mountain Laurel 'Keepsake' Grow?

Mountain Laurel 'Keepsake' typically reaches a mature height of 5 to 6 feet and a spread of 4 to 5 feet.

Additional Information

**Common Names of Kalmia latifolia 'Keepsake'**

Mountain Laurel 'Keepsake'
Keepsake Laurel
Keepsake Calico Bus

Toxicity and Risks of Mountain Laurel 'Keepsake'

All parts of Kalmia latifolia 'Keepsake' are considered toxic to humans and pets if ingested. Take care when planting near areas frequented by children or animals, and wear gloves if handling sensitive skin is a concern.

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We're a small, woman-owned business with a deep focus on product quality and customer satisfaction. Our plants are grown with love and packed with happiness!

Love, love, love our plants!

The mountain laurels were in perfect condition! Healthy and very well packaged.

Excellent health but undersized root ball

Really adore the Keepsake mountain laurel I received from Almanac planting. The plants arrived with healthy, clean leaves and stems. The box it was shipped in didn't survive the ground shipping well, but the plants were undamaged. So happy about that! The disappointment came with the size of the root ball. These seem to have been removed from a 4-6 inch diameter pot and replanted in a 2 gallon pot for shipment. The root ball was not compact or well formed for either the shipping pot size or the size I assume the plant was taken from prior to shipping. That's a key consideration when determining where to buy from, as other growers do offer this same plant. I always select the largest available plant to give my garden's looks the jump, and deliberately pay more for larger pot sizes under the assumption that the root ball will reflect an older, more mature and therefore larger plant. I didn't get that with Almanac Planting.

Gorgeous Plants!

I ordered a Purple Fountain Grass and a Mountain Laurel Keepsake, both were well wrapped and delivered in a timely manner. I absolutely love the purple and green combination of the fountain grass. Can't wait to see the beautiful flowers of the mountain laurel. Will definitely order from Almanac again.