Alpine Laurel

Kalmia microphylla (Hook.) A. Heller

Heath family

Plant Type

Subshrub, Shrub

Life Cycle

Perennial

Mature Height

12 inches

Spread

4.0 feet

Flower Color

Purple

Bloom Time

Late Spring

Growing Conditions

Light

Shade Tolerance Tolerant

Water

Water Use Medium

Drought Tolerance Low

Flood Tolerance Medium

Soil

Soil Types Loam, Sand

CaCO3 Tolerance Medium

Fertility Need Low

Stress Tolerance

Fire Tolerance Medium

Salt Tolerance None

Climate

pH Range 6.0 – 7.3

Frost-Free Days 85 days

Precipitation 12 – 20 in

Ecosystem & Wildlife

Pollinators Native Bees

Fall Color No

Evergreen Yes

Native Range

USA: Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
CAN: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territorie, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Yukon

Regional Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)

State-level native status is based on data available through Plants of the World Online. Regional Native Status comes from the USDA Plants Database. For more detailed native status information, please refer to BONAP.