Kalmia latifolia ‘Yankee Doodle’
Overview
Uses: Shaded borders, woodland gardens, group plantings, foundation corners, native landscapes.
Benefits: Red buds open to light pink flowers ringed with a narrow maroon band, a two-tone look that rewards a close view. Upright, vigorous and densely leafy, it has performed well in Zone 5 landscapes.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–8
Sun: Partial Sun to Partial Shade
Life Cycle: Broadleaf Evergreen Shrub
Growth Habit: Upright, Rounded — densely branched with a full crown.
Bloom Color: Red, opening to Light Pink and Burgundy
Foliage Color: Dark Green
Mature Height: 8–10 feet
Mature Width: 8–10 feet
Bloom Season: Late Spring
Growth Rate: Moderate
Summary
‘Yankee Doodle’ pairs red buds with banded pink flowers on a sturdy, upright evergreen.
In late spring, bright red buds open to light pink, cup-shaped flowers. Inside each one is a narrow maroon band, so the clusters look soft pink from a distance and detailed up close. The buds and open flowers overlap for a few weeks, giving the plant a mix of red and pink at peak.
It is a vigorous grower with dense evergreen leaves, filling in well as a group along a shaded border or at a woodland edge. Over many years it builds toward about 8–10 feet tall and wide.
‘Yankee Doodle’ has a good record in Zone 5 landscapes, so it is a sound choice for colder gardens within mountain laurel’s range, as long as the soil is acidic and well drained.
Care
Mountain Laurel ‘Yankee Doodle’ 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 ‘Yankee Doodle’ for Sale Online?
Our Mountain Laurel ‘Yankee Doodle’ 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 ‘Yankee Doodle’ Grow?
‘Yankee Doodle’ matures at about 8–10 feet tall and 8–10 feet wide over many years, with an upright, rounded shape. It grows at a moderate rate, so give it room at planting and it will fill the space over several years.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
Kalmia latifolia goes by several common names:
- Mountain Laurel
- Calico Bush
- Spoonwood
How is ‘Yankee Doodle’ different from ‘Carousel’?
Both are banded mountain laurels. ‘Yankee Doodle’ has light pink flowers with a narrow maroon band, opening from bright red buds. ‘Carousel’ has white flowers with a much wider purple-cinnamon band broken into a star pattern. From a distance, ‘Yankee Doodle’ reads pink and ‘Carousel’ reads white.
Does ‘Yankee Doodle’ do well in colder gardens?
Yes. It is rated to Zone 5 and has performed well in Zone 5 landscapes. In the coldest spots, a winter mulch over the roots and some shelter from drying winter wind help keep the evergreen leaves in good shape.
Is Mountain Laurel ‘Yankee Doodle’ a native plant?
‘Yankee Doodle’ 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 ‘Yankee Doodle’ 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.
