Kalmia latifolia 'Big Boy'
By Rkwright
20 Jul, 2014
3 likes
I've had this mountain laurel for 4 years and this was the first time it flowered. In previous years, branches were broken by chipmunks or dogs. All of them flowered this year but most of the buds never developed properly for some reason, probably from the nightmare winter we had. The leaves on this mountain laurel are much larger than average and that's where the name 'Big Boy' comes from.
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Strangely enough my Kalmia have not flowered in 2 years I have it either. I love the flowers.
20 Jul, 2014
The biggest problem I have with growing them is keeping the soil acidic enough and making sure they get enough water. I have most of them planted in a mix of sand, peat and pine bark but it dries quickly and I still had to add sulfur. I am going to be moving this one in the next couple days to an area with regular irrigation and am going to plant it in nothing but pine bark. They are very challenging to grow well but the flowers alone make it worth it.
20 Jul, 2014
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This photo is of "Kalmia latifolia 'Big Boy'" in Rkwright's garden
I love these flowers ,the one Kalmia I planted has failed to flower in the two years I have had it
20 Jul, 2014