Mountain Laurel

Among all the overgrown shrubs I've inherited on my new property is the beautiful Mountain Laurel, or Kalmia latifolia. It exploded with clusters of pale pink flowers which created "pom-poms" all over.

The buds are usually a deeper pink color and then they pop open to these cup-like flowers. They have a very sweet fragrance which can draw you in, but beware because all parts of this plant are poisonous.

The dark, glossy green leaves resemble Rhododendron (they are in the same family) and are evergreen. Like most Azaleas and Rhododendrons, Mountain Laurel prefer soils with an acidic pH and partial sun. It's also the state flower of Connecticut and Pennsylvania!