How big do mountain laurels get?

Mature Size The mountain-laurel grows to a height of 7–15′ and a spread of 7–15′ at maturity.

Does mountain laurel spread?

Mountain laurel usually grows as a dense, rounded shrub, with branches that grow gnarlier as the shrub ages. It is a relatively slow-growing shrub, adding about one foot per year.

Are mountain laurels hard to grow?

If azaleas and rhododendrons grow well in the area, mountain laurel will thrive. The shrubs need moist but well-drained, acidic soil. They won’t grow well in clay soil. It’s important not to give the shrubs too much fertilizer, so don’t plant them in or near lawns fed with high-nitrogen products.

Can mountain laurel take full sun?

Mountain laurel will grow in USDA Zones 5 to 9 in deep shade to full sun, but it does best in moderate to partial shade. In deep shade it won’t produce as many flowers and can become spindly. Too-bright sun can cause scorching of the leaves.

Can you trim mountain laurel?

Mountain laurel plants are very forgiving about hard pruning. However, a general rule of thumb when pruning trees and shrubs, is to never remove more than 1/3 of the plant in one pruning. First, prune out large branches that need rejuvenation. Next, remove dead, damaged or crossing branches.

Do mountain laurels bloom every year?

While the flowers, which bloom in late spring, are its most distinctive feature, mountain laurel stays green all year and provides uninterrupted interest with prominent buds that precede the flowers and brown seedpods which appear in late summer and remain on the plant throughout the winter.

What happens if you touch mountain laurel?

Nausea and vomiting, drowsiness, convulsions, and increasingly paralysis follow. Then comes coma and death. “Children have been poisoned by merely sucking on the flowers of this plant. Even honey made from mountain laurel pollen is toxic,” the Department of Agriculture adds.

What is the life expectancy of a mountain laurel?

Mountain Laurel Lifespan: 75 Years A close relative of rhododendrons and azaleas, this shade-tolerant North American shrub has gorgeous dense flowers that can completely obscure the branches.

Where should mountain laurel be planted?

Plant in a spot that gets light shade. Mountain laurel will tolerate full sun, but they do best with less light. The perfect spot gets dappled light, no more than four hours of sun a day.

How often does mountain laurel bloom?

Mountain Laurel Flowering Season Shrubs bloom anytime from mid-April to the summer solstice with May and June being the most common time for flowering. In the Deep South, in USDA zone 8, flowering commences in mid-April and peaks just before May 1. In zone 7, flowering starts around May 1 and peaks in the second week.

Do hummingbirds like mountain laurel?

This plant attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees (although their honey will be toxic and should be avoided). Protect the delicate fibrous mountain laurel roots with a two-to-six-inch layer of mulch.

Can you keep a mountain laurel small?

Most mountain laurels are giant shrubs, growing to 15 feet tall and wide, so they need a lot of space. But some dwarf varieties stay less than 3 feet tall and fit in smaller yards and gardens.