{"product_id":"mountain-laurel-galaxy","title":"Mountain Laurel 'Galaxy'","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"pd-title-head\"\u003e\n  \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eKalmia latifolia\u003c\/em\u003e ‘Galaxy’\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOverview\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUses:\u003c\/strong\u003e Specimen plantings, shaded borders, woodland gardens, group plantings, native landscapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBenefits:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Hardiness Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5–9\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun:\u003c\/strong\u003e Partial Sun to Partial Shade\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLife Cycle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Broadleaf Evergreen Shrub\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rounded, Spreading — vigorous, with full branching.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Color:\u003c\/strong\u003e White with a Burgundy Band\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage Color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Green\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7–8 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Width:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7–8 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Season:\u003c\/strong\u003e Late Spring to Early Summer\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSummary\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOpen, star-shaped flowers set ‘Galaxy’ apart from every other mountain laurel in the border.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMost 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUse ‘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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCare\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMountain Laurel ‘Galaxy’ Care\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMountain 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWater 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFeed lightly in early spring with a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/products\/slow-release-fertilizer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eslow release fertilizer\u003c\/a\u003e made for acid-loving plants. Skip lime and wood ash near the roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePruning 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSize\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat Size is the Mountain Laurel ‘Galaxy’ for Sale Online?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur 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 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/pages\/contact\" title=\"Contact Almanac Planting Co\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003econtact us\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow Large Does Mountain Laurel ‘Galaxy’ Grow?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAdditional Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat are some common names for this plant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eKalmia latifolia\u003c\/em\u003e goes by several common names:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMountain Laurel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCalico Bush\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpoonwood\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy are ‘Galaxy’ flowers shaped like stars?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMountain 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Mountain Laurel ‘Galaxy’ a native plant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Galaxy’ is a cultivar of \u003cem\u003eKalmia latifolia\u003c\/em\u003e, 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 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/collections\/native-plants\"\u003eNative Plants of North America\u003c\/a\u003e collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Mountain Laurel ‘Galaxy’ deer resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMountain 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 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/collections\/deer-resistant-shrubs-evergreens\"\u003eDeer-Resistant Shrubs and Evergreens\u003c\/a\u003e collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy do mountain laurel leaves turn yellow?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYellow 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Almanac Planting Co","offers":[{"title":"3 Gal \/ 12″–15″ \/ Ship ASAP","offer_id":50776768053410,"sku":"APC-MLGX-3-1yr","price":96.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0586\/9374\/6850\/files\/Mountain-Laurel-Galaxy-1922.jpg?v=1793526395","url":"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/products\/mountain-laurel-galaxy","provider":"Almanac Planting Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}