Mountain Myrtle Kalmia buxifolia
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Leiophyllum buxifolium
- Phonetic Spelling
- KAL-mee-uh buks-ih-FOH-lee-uh
- Description
-
Dense foliage; variable form in wild; slow grower; Does not like drought or hot sites; Native to portions of southeastern US. It is best grown in acidic soil enriched with organic matter.
- 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
- 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
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Prostrate
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Texture:
- Fine
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
-
-
Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Description:
- Displays from September to October.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Rosy buds open to white flowers. Blooms from March to June
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Dense foliate, variable form in the wild.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
