Kalmia latifolia Tofka - Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia Tofka - Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia Tofka - Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia Tofka
Mountain Laurel, Calico Bush, Spoonwood, American Mountain Laurel, Broad-leaved Kalmia
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This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty
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We guarantee the quality of our plants for a full growing cycle, and will replace at our expense any plant that fails to recover under normal climatic and planting conditions.
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Description
Kalmia latifolia Tofka is a selection of mountain laurel, full of charm, compact, bushy, flowering in a beautiful pastel shade. Its slightly incurved corollas, large in size, arranged in clusters, are light pink in colour and dotted with dark red. These contrast against the geometrically shaped pink floral buds. Not very large, this shrub works well in a large pot or a small garden. It is grown like a rhododendron, in semi-shade in a heathland soil, which always remains a bit damp.
Kalmia latifolia Tofka belongs to the Ericaceae family, like Heather and Rhododendron. It is a horticultural cultivar obtained by KH Huebbers in Germany. This slow growing shrub, reaches about 1.20 m (3 ft 11 in) in height for 90 cm (35.4 in) in span after 10 years. Its well branched trunk gives it a bushy, compact and somewhat erect habit. Its medium green, evergreen leaves are lighter on the undersides and provide decorative all year round interest. The leaves are tough and thick and slightly V-shape. This plant is most spectacular at the end of spring, in May-June, when it is entirely covered with flowers. Their waxy texture brings out the patterns on the petals. Each branch carries clusters of ribbed light pink buds which open into white flowers decorated with red to brown dots and central ring. They are very flared, almost flat at maturity and measure up to 5 cm (2 in) in diameter. After flowering, if they have not fallen, the flowers give way to brown capsule-shaped fruits, which remain throughout the in winter.
Kalmias, unlike rhododendrons, are unfairly unknown. Their flowering is enchanting, they are particularly hardy heathland bushes that should be installed in semi-shade, in a well drained, damp and humus-rich soil. Kalmia 'Tofka' will be perfect to accompany and highlight your other heathland plants, Hydrangeas, Japanese maples, camellias and rhododendrons for example. Due to its small size, it is also suitable for pots on balconies or patios, provided the soil is always kept damp and watered with non-calcareous water.
Kalmia latifolia is a shrub which is entirely toxic to humans as well as for animals (dogs, cats, sheep, horses) when eaten, including its leaves, flowers, fruits and roots.
Plant habit
Flowering
Foliage
Botanical data
Kalmia
latifolia
Tofka
Ericaceae
Mountain Laurel, Calico Bush, Spoonwood, American Mountain Laurel, Broad-leaved Kalmia
Cultivar or hybrid
Planting and care
Kalmia latifolia 'Tofka' is extremely hardy and can withstand very low temperatures, below -20 °C. It requires a semi-shaded position, in a humus-rich and fertile, acidic (without lime), well drained but damp soil. Plant in spring or autumn, avoiding periods of frost or high heat. Prepare a wide and deep pit, 50 cm (19.7 in) by 50 cm (19.7 in) so that your Kalmia quickly establish itself. If the soil is calcareous, it will need to be completely replaced by a mix of ericaceous soil and leaf compost in a large planting pit. Regular watering (with rainwater if possible) in the first few weeks following planting is necessary to keep the soil moist and cool. A pine bark mulch at the base of the plant can be beneficial to protect the fine and superficial roots.
Each spring, scratch the soil around the base of the plant and top with compost, ericaceous soil and mulch. The mountain laurel dislikes scorching situations and sweltering summers. It must be placed in such a way that it is shaded during the hottest hours of the day. The mountain laurel dislikes exposure to strong sunlight, especially in case of drought, and ensure regular watering (preferably with rainwater). This summer watering is particularly important since this is when the flower buds form for the following spring. The mountain laurel, liking coolness and good humidity, will thrive in coastal or rainy climates. With its small size, it is well suited to pots on a patio or balcony but use a large pot and water well to avoid the soil from drying out.
Planting period
Intended location
Care
Planting & care advice
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Hardiness is the lowest winter temperature a plant can endure without suffering serious damage or even dying. However, hardiness is affected by location (a sheltered area, such as a patio), protection (winter cover) and soil type (hardiness is improved by well-drained soil).
The flowering period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions located in USDA zone 8 (France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, etc.)
It will vary according to where you live:- In zones 9 to 10 (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), flowering will occur about 2 to 4 weeks earlier.
- In zones 6 to 7 (Germany, Poland, Slovenia, and lower mountainous regions), flowering will be delayed by 2 to 3 weeks.
- In zone 5 (Central Europe, Scandinavia), blooming will be delayed by 3 to 5 weeks.
In temperate climates, pruning of spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, spireas, etc.) should be done just after flowering.
Pruning of summer-flowering shrubs (Indian Lilac, Perovskia, etc.) can be done in winter or spring.
In cold regions as well as with frost-sensitive plants, avoid pruning too early when severe frosts may still occur.
The planting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions located in USDA zone 8 (France, United Kingdom, Ireland, Netherlands).
It will vary according to where you live:
- In Mediterranean zones (Marseille, Madrid, Milan, etc.), autumn and winter are the best planting periods.
- In continental zones (Strasbourg, Munich, Vienna, etc.), delay planting by 2 to 3 weeks in spring and bring it forward by 2 to 4 weeks in autumn.
- In mountainous regions (the Alps, Pyrenees, Carpathians, etc.), it is best to plant in late spring (May-June) or late summer (August-September).
The harvesting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions in USDA zone 8 (France, England, Ireland, the Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...) fruit and vegetable harvests are likely to be delayed by 3-4 weeks.
In warmer areas (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), harvesting will probably take place earlier, depending on weather conditions.
The sowing periods indicated on our website apply to countries and regions within USDA Zone 8 (France, UK, Ireland, Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...), delay any outdoor sowing by 3-4 weeks, or sow under glass.
In warmer climes (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), bring outdoor sowing forward by a few weeks.
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