Kalmia latifolia ‘Kaleidoscope’
Overview
Uses: Foundation plantings, specimen plantings, shaded borders, woodland edges, native landscapes.
Benefits: Raspberry-red buds open to flowers banded in cinnamon-red with a wide white edge, one of the boldest two-tone patterns in mountain laurel. Upright, rounded evergreen growth stays around 5–6 feet with glossy green leaves.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–8
Sun: Partial Sun to Partial Shade
Life Cycle: Broadleaf Evergreen Shrub
Growth Habit: Upright, Rounded — dense, full branching with glossy leaves to the base.
Bloom Color: Red, opening to Burgundy and White
Foliage Color: Green
Mature Height: 5–6 feet
Mature Width: 5–6 feet
Bloom Season: Late Spring to Early Summer
Growth Rate: Slow
Summary
Bold bands of cinnamon-red edged in white make ‘Kaleidoscope’ one of the most striking mountain laurels in bloom.
In late spring, raspberry-red buds crowd the branch tips. As each cup-shaped flower opens, a wide band of cinnamon-red fills the inside while a clean white margin rims the edge. The contrast reads clearly from across the yard, and the buds and open flowers overlap for a mix of red, burgundy and white at peak.
‘Kaleidoscope’ came from a cross of the red-budded ‘Sarah’ and the banded ‘Bullseye’, made by mountain laurel breeder Dr. Richard Jaynes in Connecticut. It takes rich bud color from one parent and bold banding from the other.
Outside of bloom it is a tidy, upright evergreen with glossy green leaves. At about 5–6 feet tall and wide, it fits a foundation corner or the middle of a shaded border without outgrowing the space.
Care
Mountain Laurel ‘Kaleidoscope’ Care
Plant in partial sun to partial shade. Morning sun with afternoon shade brings out the strongest flower color. In colder zones, shelter it from harsh winter sun and wind to prevent leaf burn. Deep shade means fewer flowers.
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 ‘Kaleidoscope’ for Sale Online?
Our Mountain Laurel ‘Kaleidoscope’ 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 ‘Kaleidoscope’ Grow?
‘Kaleidoscope’ matures at about 5–6 feet tall and 5–6 feet wide, with an upright, rounded shape. It grows slowly, so it stays in scale with a foundation bed or border for many years.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
Kalmia latifolia goes by several common names:
- Mountain Laurel
- Calico Bush
- Spoonwood
What makes ‘Kaleidoscope’ different from other banded mountain laurels?
Many banded mountain laurels have a thin ring of color. ‘Kaleidoscope’ has a wide cinnamon-red band that fills most of the flower, edged with white, so it looks more red than pink from a distance. It also opens from raspberry-red buds, which adds color before the flowers open.
Is Mountain Laurel ‘Kaleidoscope’ a native plant?
‘Kaleidoscope’ 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 ‘Kaleidoscope’ 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.
What grows well with Mountain Laurel ‘Kaleidoscope’?
Mountain laurel wants the same acidic, moist, well-drained soil and dappled light as rhododendrons, so the two pair naturally. Ferns, hostas and woodland natives fill in below. For more spring color in the same bed, browse our Azaleas collection.
