Kalmia latifolia 'Sarah'
Common Name(s):
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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'Sarah' is a cultivar of Mountain Laurel, a broadleaf, evergreen shrub or small tree in the Ericaceae (blueberry) family that is native to eastern North America. 'Sarah' blooms in the late spring with red flower buds that open to a rich pink to coral color with dots on the petals. It is a slow growing, dense, rounded shrub reaching four or five feet tall in ten years and developing gnarly branches with age. As the flowers fade, lush foliage erupts into burgundy hues. 'Sarah' displays glossy green leaves that are smaller and twistier than other varieties.
'Sarah' has better sun tolerance that the parent Mountain Laurel shrub and tolerates a wide range of light conditions, from full sun to full shade. It grows best in partial shade (morning sun with early to mid-afternoon shade) and in cool, moist, acidic, humus-rich, well-drained soils. Mulch to retain moisture and keep root zones cool. The plant does not grow well in heavy clay soils or wet soils. In heavy soils, raised plantings should be considered to promote better drainage. Remove spent flower clusters immediately after bloom and prune branches back lightly after bloom to promote bushy growth. When pruning, keep in mind that next year's blossoms and fruit will appear on old growth.
'Sarah' works well in the garden as a mass planting and can be used as a short hedge, in a shrub border, woodland or cottage garden, or along a foundation.
Fire Risk: This plant has a high flammability rating and should not be planted within the defensible space of your home. Select plants with a low flammability rating for the sites nearest your home.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:
Scale, white fly, borers, and lace bugs are occasional pests. Leaf spots and blights are occasional diseases.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Mountain Ridge Top Garden - East Lawn and Lower Drive Border
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Kalmia
- Species:
- latifol
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Fire Risk Rating:
- high flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- It provides winter cover. Hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators are attracted to the flowers. Although the foilage is toxic to domestic livestock, white-tailed deer browse the leaves and twigs during the winter and early spring.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- 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:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Plant produces 5-valved, dihiscent capsules (3/16") that are non-showy and brown in color that persist into winter. Fruits are available from September to October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Orange
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Late spring to early summer red buds burst forth with showy pink to coral fused petaled flowers with dots on the petals.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Opposite
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Oblanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- New leaves have a red color turning a glossy green. They twist and have undulate margins.
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Bark:
- Bark Description:
- The bark is thin, smooth and dark red-brown in color in young trees. The barks shreds and splits as the tree ages. The trunk is contorted with cinnamon bark.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems are sympodial and initially bronze and sticky. As they mature, they turn turn red green or brown and become crooked and gnarly. Epidermis and gray-brown bark crack to reveal lighter colors in older stems. Pith is solid and light green.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Recreational Play Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Flowering Tree
- Hedge
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- The toxic principle interferes with normal skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, and nerve function. Clinical effects typically occur within a few hours after ingestion, and can include acute digestive upset, excessive drooling, loss of appetite, frequent bowel movements/diarrhea, colic, sweating, abdominal pain, depression, weakness, loss of coordination, stupor, watering of eyes and nose, nausea, cardiac failure, vomiting, leg paralysis, weak heart rate, and recumbency for 2 or more days; at this point, improvement may be seen or the animal may become comatose and die. Typically not very palatable to horses unless it is the only forage available, but sheep and goats may graze readily on the plant.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Andromedotoxin, a resinoid; arbutin, a glycoside, Grayanotoxins
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
