Kalmia latifolia ‘Pink Charm’
Overview
Uses: Foundation plantings, shaded borders, woodland gardens, specimen plantings, native landscapes.
Benefits: Deep pink buds open to rich pink flowers, each with a thin darker ring inside. Blooms reliably even as a young plant, with glossy evergreen leaves all year.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–9
Sun: Partial Sun to Partial Shade
Life Cycle: Broadleaf Evergreen Shrub
Growth Habit: Upright, Rounded — dense and full, with glossy leaves held through winter.
Bloom Color: Deep Pink, opening to Pink
Foliage Color: Green
Mature Height: 6–8 feet
Mature Width: 6–8 feet
Bloom Season: Late Spring to Early Summer
Growth Rate: Moderate
Summary
‘Pink Charm’ is one of the most dependable pink mountain laurels, setting flower buds even while young.
In late spring, deep pink buds open to rich pink, cup-shaped flowers, each marked with a narrow darker ring near its base. The buds and open flowers share the clusters, so the color stays strong through the whole bloom period.
The plant grows upright and rounded, with glossy green leaves that hold through winter. It matures at about 6–8 feet tall and wide, a good size for a corner of the house, a shaded border or a woodland edge.
‘Pink Charm’ holds the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, given to plants that perform reliably in gardens.
Care
Mountain Laurel ‘Pink Charm’ 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 ‘Pink Charm’ for Sale Online?
Our Mountain Laurel ‘Pink Charm’ 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 ‘Pink Charm’ Grow?
‘Pink Charm’ matures at about 6–8 feet tall and 6–8 feet wide, forming an upright, rounded evergreen. It grows at a moderate pace for a mountain laurel.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
Kalmia latifolia goes by several common names:
- Mountain Laurel
- Calico Bush
- Spoonwood
Does ‘Pink Charm’ bloom as a young plant?
Yes. Many mountain laurels take a few years to flower well, but ‘Pink Charm’ is known for setting buds even while young. Planted in partial sun with acidic soil, it can bloom the first spring after planting.
Is Mountain Laurel ‘Pink Charm’ a native plant?
‘Pink Charm’ 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 ‘Pink Charm’ 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 ‘Pink Charm’?
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.
