general

information

practice:

propagation

Azaleas

my own hybrids

miscellaneous:

home

rhodo-info

planting

sowing

evergreen

first ##

leaves and buds

about myself

extra info

care

cuttings

deciduous

## 2002

parks and gardens

ordering photos

new Huisman Rhodos

hybridizing

grafting

native azaleas USA

## 2003\4

Articles

Rhododendrons colours:

index

white

orange

yellow

Rhododendron George's Delight - a nice flower with a mix of colours - yellow, pink and orange.

Rhododendron 'Double Winner' a strigilosum hybrid with hairy leaves and stems - has bright red flowers

Rhododendrons colours:

pink

red

blue

species

photo page thousands of photos               other topics        rhododendron photo review

Photography

My (ex)-gardens 'Park der Gärten' Germany ASA Convention 2003 Flowershow ARS Dutch Rhodo. Society
Kalmia latifolia "Indian Summer" in Maine wildflowers Costa Blanca Bernhard Knorr rhodo's Hans Hachmann Rhodo's Joe Klimavic azaleas
'Silver Dollar' with clear white flowers

Rhodoland

Kalmia latifolia

'Minuet' a small growing plant with great flowers

     Rhododendron and Azaleas belong to the family of the Ericaceae, the 'heather family, which includes about 200 species of plants. Some of these species are the Vacciniums, Gaultheria, like G. procumbens, known for their nice red berries. The Calluna vulgaris, the genus Erica, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Andromeda. And some Leucothoë varieties, Enkianthus, the Enkianthus campanulatus. etc. I plan, to write a new page about them, as soon as I have some time......Well, now about the beautiful Kalmia latifolia.

'Galaxy' one of the newest introductions

Kalmia latifolia 'Comet' with deeply lobed white flowers

Kalmia latifolia, Mountain Laurel

             Certainly, there is at least one genus that fits into a garden with rhododendrons and azaleas - Kalmia latifolia. I have some varieties in my garden, about 15, and when I have guests in my garden and they see them in full flower, they are amazed about their beauty! And why? Well, they did not know them before. I think, they are more well-known in the USA, where the original species grow in the wild and where more nurseries and laboraties propagate them. Propagating by cuttings or graftings is hardly possible, because most of the varieties will not root. So, it is easier to propagate them by TC-culture. 
            The genus Kalmia latifolia is indissolubly connected with Mr. Richard A. Jaynes in Hamden, Connecticut, north of New York. In the winter of 1994 I visited his 'Broken Arrow Nursery' and laboratory and admired his rows of small TC-culture plants of Kalmia latifolia and other Kalmias.  He is the real Mr. Kalmia himself. He has written a book about it, "Kalmia, Mountain Laurel and Related Species" and already the 4th (?)edition has been released. It calls him a 'laurel fanatic'. This book is a must for anyone who is interested in the wonderful genus. 

Kalmia latifolia 'Bigboy'

Kalmia latifolia 'Pinwheel'


           I won't give you now a sort of summary of his book, but will mention some important aspects.

          These plants grow in the wild in the eastern part of the USA from Florida to Canada. Normally they grow as high as 10 to 20 feet. The flowers are in trusses of about 10, 20 to even 30 seperate flowers, from dark pink to almost white. There are many banded selections, like 'Kaleidoscope' or 'Minuet', a small growing variety. Now I feel the temptation to mention many of them, but you really must read the book of  Richard Jaynes or buy the plants. The beauty is ....I can hardly find the right words, magnificent and beyond expectation. In 1994 I was in the USA, in the woods of the  'Blue Ridge Mountains' in  North- and South Carolina. I enjoyed it very much! I hope to be there this year again!! 

Kalmia latifolia 'Sarah' Kalmia latifolia 'Heart's Desire' an own seedling of Kalmia latifolia


             Richard Jaynes has collected varieties and 'deviating' flowers, often with the help of other 'kalmiaholics', who 'chased' for new plants. This would be one of the most wanted activities for me too!! Chasing plants - oh, boy, what am I doing here behind my computer.......
Dick crossed with them again and again to get new varieties and meanwhile there are about  80 varieties, and on the internet I saw already new ones, which are not yet in his book. (1997)

Kalmia latifolia 'Olympic Wedding'  'Alpine Pink' (?)

        Kalmia latifolia is one of the Ericaceae and fits very well into a garden with Rhododendrons, azaleas and other plants of this family. And desires the same conditions, soil, pH etc., though it withstands better drought. It is completely cold hardy and wintergreen, so it gives your garden some colour in winter. There are also small growing varieties, like 'Elf' and 'Minuet'. Availability must not be a problem in the USA. In other countries it might be more difficult to 'lay your hand on them'. Just look on the internet, go to the better gardencenters and order them. You must try to get them, because they are so beautiful! 

a own cross with Kalmia latifolia 'Freckles' an own cross with Kalmia latifolia 'Bullseye' 'Kalmia latifolia 'Freckles'
Kalmia latifolia 'Keepsake'  with nice bands Kalmia latifolia 'Tiddlywinks' Kalmia latifolia 'Ostbo Red' rred buds and almost white flowers, a nice contrast

I used some pictures from the internet, with permission. For more pictures or information:   www.kalmiagrower.com         

         

copyright © 2002-2020 | all rights reserved