Kalmia latifolia ‘Galaxy’
Overview
Uses: Specimen plantings, shaded borders, woodland gardens, group plantings, native landscapes.
Benefits: Star-shaped white flowers with a deep burgundy center look nothing like a typical mountain laurel cup. Vigorous, rounded evergreen growth reaches about 7–8 feet for a large specimen in partial shade.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–9
Sun: Partial Sun to Partial Shade
Life Cycle: Broadleaf Evergreen Shrub
Growth Habit: Rounded, Spreading — vigorous, with full branching.
Bloom Color: White with a Burgundy Band
Foliage Color: Green
Mature Height: 7–8 feet
Mature Width: 7–8 feet
Bloom Season: Late Spring to Early Summer
Growth Rate: Moderate
Summary
Open, star-shaped flowers set ‘Galaxy’ apart from every other mountain laurel in the border.
Most mountain laurels have cup-shaped flowers. On ‘Galaxy’ the five petal lobes are cut deeply apart, so each flower opens flat into a star. The inside is washed in deep burgundy from a wide band of color, with white at the tips and on the back, so the clusters look like scattered stars against the leaves in late spring.
It is a vigorous grower with glossy, pointed green leaves that stay on through winter. Over time it forms a rounded, spreading evergreen of about 7–8 feet tall and wide.
Use ‘Galaxy’ as a specimen where its unusual flowers can be seen up close, such as along a shaded path, or plant it in a group at a woodland edge.
Care
Mountain Laurel ‘Galaxy’ Care
Plant in partial sun to partial shade. Morning sun with afternoon shade, or the high, dappled light at a woodland edge, gives the best balance of flowering and leaf color. More sun is fine in the North with steady moisture; deep shade cuts bloom.
Mountain laurel needs acidic, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. It struggles in heavy clay, standing water and alkaline soil, where the leaves turn yellow. Work in compost or pine bark at planting and set the root ball slightly high in heavier ground.
Water deeply through the first growing season, then during dry spells. The roots are shallow, so a 2–3 inch layer of bark mulch or pine needles keeps them cool and moist; keep mulch a few inches off the stems.
Feed lightly in early spring with a slow release fertilizer made for acid-loving plants. Skip lime and wood ash near the roots.
Pruning is rarely needed. If you want to shape the plant, do it right after flowering, because next year’s buds form over the summer. Snapping off spent flower clusters lets the plant put its energy into new growth and next year’s buds.
Size
What Size is the Mountain Laurel ‘Galaxy’ for Sale Online?
Our Mountain Laurel ‘Galaxy’ ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. In spring it may arrive with buds set. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Mountain Laurel ‘Galaxy’ Grow?
‘Galaxy’ matures at about 7–8 feet tall and 7–8 feet wide, with a rounded, spreading shape. It grows faster than many mountain laurels, so plan for its full size when spacing it.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
Kalmia latifolia goes by several common names:
- Mountain Laurel
- Calico Bush
- Spoonwood
Why are ‘Galaxy’ flowers shaped like stars?
Mountain laurel flowers are normally fused into a cup. In ‘Galaxy’ the petal lobes are divided almost to the base, so the flower opens flat into a five-pointed star. Combined with its burgundy center and white tips, it looks very different from cup-flowered cultivars.
Is Mountain Laurel ‘Galaxy’ a native plant?
‘Galaxy’ is a cultivar of Kalmia latifolia, which is native to eastern North America from Maine to the Gulf Coast. That makes it a nativar: a selected form of a native species. Browse more in our Native Plants of North America collection.
Is Mountain Laurel ‘Galaxy’ deer resistant?
Mountain laurel is generally considered deer resistant, and deer tend to pass over its thick, leathery leaves. Browsing pressure varies by region, and hungry deer in a hard winter may sample almost anything. For more options, see our Deer-Resistant Shrubs and Evergreens collection.
Why do mountain laurel leaves turn yellow?
Yellow leaves with green veins usually mean the soil is not acidic enough, so the plant cannot take up iron. It is common near foundations, where concrete raises the soil pH. Mulch with pine needles or bark, keep lime away from the roots and feed with a fertilizer made for acid-loving plants. Yellowing can also come from soggy, poorly drained soil.
