{"product_id":"mountain-laurel-kaleidoscope","title":"Mountain Laurel 'Kaleidoscope'","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"pd-title-head\"\u003e\n  \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eKalmia latifolia\u003c\/em\u003e ‘Kaleidoscope’\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOverview\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUses:\u003c\/strong\u003e Foundation plantings, specimen plantings, shaded borders, woodland edges, native landscapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBenefits:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Hardiness Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5–8\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 Upright, Rounded — dense, full branching with glossy leaves to the base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Red, opening to Burgundy and White\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 5–6 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Width:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5–6 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 Slow\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSummary\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBold bands of cinnamon-red edged in white make ‘Kaleidoscope’ one of the most striking mountain laurels in bloom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e‘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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOutside 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCare\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMountain Laurel ‘Kaleidoscope’ Care\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant 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.\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 ‘Kaleidoscope’ for Sale Online?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur 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 \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 ‘Kaleidoscope’ Grow?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘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.\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\u003eWhat makes ‘Kaleidoscope’ different from other banded mountain laurels?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Mountain Laurel ‘Kaleidoscope’ a native plant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Kaleidoscope’ 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 ‘Kaleidoscope’ 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\u003eWhat grows well with Mountain Laurel ‘Kaleidoscope’?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMountain 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 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/collections\/azaleas\"\u003eAzaleas\u003c\/a\u003e collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Almanac Planting Co","offers":[{"title":"3 Gal \/ 15″–18″ \/ Ship ASAP","offer_id":50776763138210,"sku":"APC-MLKD-3-1yr","price":89.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0586\/9374\/6850\/files\/Mountain-Laurel-Kaleidoscope-1818.jpg?v=1793526370","url":"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/products\/mountain-laurel-kaleidoscope","provider":"Almanac Planting Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}