The Mountain Laurel, also known as the calico bush, is indigenous to North America and favors both rocky terrains and swampy areas. It grows readily in the wild and is cultivated from Maine in the north, through the central states, and down to the higher elevations of the southern states. It has thick, glossy, evergreen leaves, and in late spring its beautiful white or pink flowers appear. The flowers each have 10 stamens that shower bees and butterflies with pollen.
The mountain laurel prefers partial shade but will grow in the sun. The plants thrive on moisture and many species don’t seem to mind marshy conditions. Acidic, humus-rich soil will require heavy watering and mulch if the laurel is grown in a dry region. The evergreen shrub is hardy in regions 4a to 9b and varies in height from two to 10 feet. It is a great shrub for specimen or mass planting. Be advised that care should be taken before planting mountain laurels around children or animals. All parts of the plant can cause paralysis or death. One species, the sheep laurel, is sometimes called lambkill because of its poisoning effect on livestock.