Kalmia latifolia ‘Nathan Hale’
Overview
Uses: Woodland gardens, mass plantings, shaded borders, specimen plantings, native landscapes.
Benefits: Red buds open to large clusters of pastel pink flowers set against shiny, dark green leaves that resist leaf spot. Dense, rounded growth stays full down to the ground as the plant slowly builds toward 7–8 feet.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–8
Sun: Partial Sun to Partial Shade
Life Cycle: Broadleaf Evergreen Shrub
Growth Habit: Rounded — dense, multi-stemmed form branched close to the ground.
Bloom Color: Red, opening to Pink
Foliage Color: Dark Green
Mature Height: 7–8 feet
Mature Width: 7–8 feet
Bloom Season: Late Spring to Early Summer
Growth Rate: Slow
Summary
A full, rounded mountain laurel with red buds and big pink clusters, ‘Nathan Hale’ is a long-term evergreen for the shaded parts of the garden.
In late spring, red buds crowd the branch tips and open into large, rounded heads of pastel pink, cup-shaped flowers. Set against the glossy, dark green leaves, the clusters stand out from a distance and hold for several weeks.
This is one of the denser mountain laurels. It branches low and keeps foliage close to the ground, so it looks full from every side, whether planted alone or in a group. The leaves are shiny and resistant to leaf spot, which helps the plant stay clean in damp, shaded spots.
‘Nathan Hale’ grows slowly toward about 7–8 feet tall and wide. That makes it a good choice for an informal evergreen mass at a woodland edge or the back of a shade border, where it can be left to fill out for decades.
Care
Mountain Laurel ‘Nathan Hale’ Care
Plant 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.
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 ‘Nathan Hale’ for Sale Online?
Our Mountain Laurel ‘Nathan Hale’ 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 ‘Nathan Hale’ Grow?
‘Nathan Hale’ matures at about 7–8 feet tall and 7–8 feet wide, forming a dense, rounded evergreen. It grows slowly, so it stays in scale with a border for many years before reaching full size. Give it room to spread when planting.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
Kalmia latifolia goes by several common names:
- Mountain Laurel
- Calico Bush
- Spoonwood
Can ‘Nathan Hale’ be used as a screen in the shade?
Yes, as an informal one. Its dense, low-branched habit and evergreen leaves block views year-round, and it handles the partial shade where many screening shrubs thin out. Space plants about 6 feet apart and expect a slow fill-in over several years. For more year-round structure, browse our Evergreen Plants collection.
Is Mountain Laurel ‘Nathan Hale’ a native plant?
‘Nathan Hale’ 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 ‘Nathan Hale’ 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.
Why do mountain laurel leaves turn yellow?
Yellow 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.
