Kalmia latifolia ‘Keepsake’
Overview
Uses: Woodland gardens, shaded borders, foundation plantings, specimen shrubs, and naturalized areas.
Benefits: Deep burgundy-red buds open to maroon-purple flowers with bright white centers. Glossy evergreen foliage provides structure and year-round interest.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–8
Sun: Partial Shade to Full Shade
Life Cycle: Evergreen Shrub
Growth Habit: Upright, Rounded — dense branching with layered structure.
Bloom Color: Maroon-Purple and White
Foliage Color: Glossy Dark Green
Mature Height: 5–6 feet
Mature Width: 4–5 feet
Bloom Season: Late Spring
Growth Rate: Moderate
Summary
A dramatic evergreen shrub with some of the darkest blooms in the mountain laurel family.
Kalmia latifolia ‘Keepsake’ stands out for its unusually rich flower color. Burgundy buds open to maroon-purple blossoms accented by crisp white centers, creating bold contrast in shaded garden spaces.
The glossy evergreen foliage forms a structured, upright shrub that provides year-round presence. Its compact size makes it especially useful in foundation beds and woodland-style plantings where reliable evergreen structure is needed.
This cultivar performs best in partial shade and acidic, well-drained soils, offering dependable color and strong garden presence in locations where many flowering shrubs struggle.
Care
Mountain Laurel ‘Keepsake’ Care
Plant in Partial Shade to Full Shade. Morning sun with afternoon protection is ideal for best flowering and foliage quality.
Provide moist, acidic, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Avoid alkaline or poorly drained soils.
Water regularly during the first growing season to establish roots. Once established, provide supplemental watering during extended dry periods.
Apply a balanced slow release fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants in early spring.
Mulch lightly around the root zone to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, keeping mulch away from the stem base.
Deadhead spent blooms after flowering to maintain a tidy appearance. Prune lightly if shaping is needed.
Container Growing: Use a container with drainage holes and an acidic, well-drained potting mix. Container-grown plants require more frequent watering than those planted in the ground. Plants hardy in the ground may require winter protection when grown in containers in colder zones.
Size
What Size is the Mountain Laurel ‘Keepsake’ for Sale Online?
Plants are shipped in greenhouse-grade grow pots and are well-rooted and established for transplanting. Each plant is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipping. If you have specific sizing questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Mountain Laurel ‘Keepsake’ Grow?
This shrub typically matures to 5–6 feet tall and 4–5 feet wide, forming a dense, upright evergreen structure.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
This plant is commonly known as Mountain Laurel.
Is this plant deer resistant?
Mountain laurel is generally considered less attractive to deer than many other shrubs. Explore additional options in our Deer-Resistant Shrubs and Evergreens collection.
Where does this shrub perform best in the landscape?
It excels in woodland gardens, shaded foundation beds, and naturalized plantings. For more evergreen structure in shaded areas, browse our Evergreen Plants collection.
Does this shrub require acidic soil?
Yes. Like other mountain laurels, it performs best in acidic, well-drained soils and benefits from organic matter incorporated at planting.
