Mountain Myrtle Kalmia buxifolia
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Leiophyllum buxifolium
- Phonetic Spelling
- KAL-mee-uh buks-ih-FOH-lee-uh
- Description
-
Sand myrtle is a woody low growing evergreen shrub or groundcover in the Ericaceae (blueberry) family native to portions of southeastern US. This slower grower has dense foliage and variable form in wild reaching a heigh of 18 inches to 3 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide.
Plant in partial shade in moist well drained acidic soil enriched with organic matter. Apply a layer of acidic mulch like pine needles in the spring to retain soil moisture. Prune only after flowering to remove spent blooms. This plant can be propagated through seed, stem or root cutting.
The leaves are thick and glossy and provide a beautiful green background for the rosy pink buds that erupt in a profusion of white flowers from early spring to early summer. Nectar from the flowers attract pollinators like butterflies and bees. The evergreen leaves turn a attracive bronze tone in the winter which helps provide year-round interest for this plant. Sand myrtle does not tolerate drought or overly wet soils.
Use this low maintenance plant in the front of borders, alongside patios, or as an understory planting along with some larger shrubs. Mass plant it as welcome addition to a native or pollinator garden and does well in containers. Its slow growth rate makes it ideal as a low growing hedge in a cottage garen and its small size makes it a natural choice for courtyard, or rock gardens.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Pinecake'
- 'Pinecake'
- 'Pinecake'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Pinecake'
- 'Pinecake'
- 'Pinecake'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Kalmia
- Species:
- buxifolia
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Layering
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern U.S.A
- Wildlife Value:
- A food source for butterflies, birds, pollinators, and small mammals.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Heat and drought tolerant.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Prostrate
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
-
-
Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Displays from September to October.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Raceme
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Rosy buds open to white flowers with 5 petals and prominate stamens. Inflorescence is a terminal corymbiform raceme or umbel. Blooms from March to June
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Dense tiny glossy green ovate leaves, variable alternate or opposite. In the fall the leaves turn bronze.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
