{"product_id":"mountain-laurel-red-bandit","title":"Mountain Laurel 'Red Bandit'","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"pd-title-head\"\u003e\n  \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eKalmia latifolia\u003c\/em\u003e ‘Red Bandit’\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOverview\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUses:\u003c\/strong\u003e Foundation plantings, shaded borders, small gardens, specimen plantings, native landscapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBenefits:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep pink flowers with a bold maroon band open in late spring, giving each cluster a two-tone look. Compact, rounded evergreen growth stays around 4–5 feet, small enough for beds close to the house.\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 Rounded — compact and dense, with glossy leaves to the base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep Pink with a Burgundy Band\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 4–5 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Width:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4–5 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\u003eCompact and boldly banded, ‘Red Bandit’ brings two-tone mountain laurel flowers to small, shaded spaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn late spring, the buds open to deep pink, cup-shaped flowers, each marked inside with a wide maroon band. Gathered in rounded clusters at the branch tips, the flowers show pink from a distance and a bold ring of color up close.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe plant stays compact and rounded, with dense, glossy green leaves that hold through winter. At about 4–5 feet tall and wide, it fits a foundation bed, the front of a shaded border or a large container without crowding nearby plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLike other mountain laurels, it grows slowly and lives a long time, so it holds its shape in a small space for years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCare\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMountain Laurel ‘Red Bandit’ Care\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant 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.\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\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing in Containers\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis compact laurel grows well in a large container filled with an acidic potting mix made for azaleas and rhododendrons. Use a pot with good drainage holes. Containers dry out faster than garden soil, so check moisture often in summer and water when the top inch feels dry. Feed lightly in spring, since potting mix runs out of nutrients sooner than garden soil. Roots in a container are more exposed to cold than roots in the ground. Plants hardy in the ground may require winter protection when grown in containers in colder zones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSize\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat Size is the Mountain Laurel ‘Red Bandit’ for Sale Online?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur Mountain Laurel ‘Red Bandit’ 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 ‘Red Bandit’ Grow?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Red Bandit’ matures at about 4–5 feet tall and 4–5 feet wide, forming a compact, rounded evergreen. It grows slowly and needs little pruning to stay in shape.\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\u003eIs ‘Red Bandit’ a good choice for a small garden?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Most mountain laurels grow into large shrubs of 7 feet or more, but ‘Red Bandit’ stays near 4–5 feet with a compact, rounded shape. That makes it a good fit for foundation beds, small shaded gardens and large containers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Mountain Laurel ‘Red Bandit’ a native plant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Red Bandit’ 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 ‘Red Bandit’ 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 ‘Red Bandit’?\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":50776763269282,"sku":"APC-MLRB-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-Red-Bandit-1466.jpg?v=1793526387","url":"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/products\/mountain-laurel-red-bandit","provider":"Almanac Planting Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}