Kalmia latifolia Keepsake
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Keepsake carries the darkest flowers of the mountain laurels, raspberry-red buds opening to true burgundy cups edged in white. This selection of the native Kalmia latifolia grows 4 to 5 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide in part shade to full shade, hardy from Zone 5 through Zone 9.
Bloom comes in late spring, substantial across the whole plant, and the crimped buds hold for a week or more before opening.
As the flowers fade, bronzy-red new growth pushes out of the stems and matures to a bluish sheen, which gives the shrub a second display right after the first.
Keepsake tolerates rougher soil than most mountain laurels, though it still wants acidic ground and good drainage, and it struggles in heavy clay or alkaline conditions. Mulch the shallow roots. Deer leave it alone.
Height 4'- 5' Spread 5'- 6'
USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9
Lowest Temperatures -20°F to -10°F
Part shade - 4 to 6 hours of direct sun per day, mostly before midday
AL, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WV
