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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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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Mountain Laurel keepsake

The plant arrive and it is beautiful!! I thought I was ordering the mountain laurel that
grew 8to 10 feet but I ordered the one that grows to 4 to 5 feet. I just had to find a different spot to plant the shorter plant. I will probably order the kaleidoscope next spring after I see how well this ones does through the winter. This plant looks so healthy and beautiful!! Thank you.

Thanks so much, Susan! We’re thrilled to hear your ‘Keepsake’ Mountain Laurel arrived looking so healthy and beautiful. Totally get the mix-up on the size, but sounds like you found the perfect new spot for it!

We’re planning to add more Mountain Laurel varieties to the site over winter—so while we’re not sure yet if ‘Kaleidoscope’ will be one of them, there will be some new options to explore in spring. Really appreciate your kind words and support!

—Justin & the Almanac Planting Co. team

Love, love, love our plants!

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

Thanks so much for the lovely review! We’re thrilled to hear you’re loving your Keepsake Mountain Laurels and that they arrived in perfect condition. Thanks again for your support—we’re so glad they found a happy home!

Excellent health, excellent customer service

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! At first, I thought the root ball was not compact or well formed, but Almanac told me these particular plants have a more thready root system. They have been planted for a few weeks now and are thriving. They weathered a horrible bout of flooding on top of record-breaking heat. These plants are going to be special focal points in my garden for a long time. Thanks, Almanac, for helping me learn how to be a better gardener.

Thanks so much for your feedback, Laine—we’re really glad to hear your Keepsake Mountain Laurel arrived healthy and undamaged, even after a bit of a rough journey in transit. That’s always great news.

We appreciate your note about the root ball size. This plant was shipped in a 2-gallon pot, and while it may not have looked as densely rooted as some other species, that’s actually normal for mountain laurel. They naturally have finer, less aggressive root systems that don’t form compact soil balls like faster-growing or fibrous-rooted plants. We also regularly trim top growth to encourage strong underground development and reduce transplant stress.

We totally understand your expectations and appreciate the thoughtful review. If you have any questions about helping it settle in or thrive long-term, we’re always here to help.

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.

Thanks so much for the lovely review, Lila! It’s hard to believe it’s already been almost a month since you received your Purple Fountain Grass and Mountain Laurel ‘Keepsake’—we hope they’ve been settling in beautifully! That purple and green combo is such a standout, and we can’t wait for you to enjoy the blooms from the laurel. We’d love to send more your way anytime!