Sheep Laurel
Kalmia angustifolia
Sheep laurel is a low evergreen laurel of acidic bogs, barrens, and heath, with clusters of deep pink cup-shaped flowers. Tough and deer-resistant, though its foliage is toxic to livestock.
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Type
- shrub
- Lifespan
- perennial
- Height
- 1–3 ft
- Spacing
- 2–4 ft apart
- Light
- part shade
- Soil moisture
- wet
- Soil pH
- acidic, neutral
- Bloom
- June, July
- Bloom colors
- red, purple
- Wildlife value
- songbirds, butterflies, larval host
- Caterpillar hosts
- ~33 butterfly & moth species
- Landscape uses
- foundation, rain garden, erosion control
- Native states
- CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, TN, VA, VT, WV
Related native plants
More Kalmia species
- Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
- Bog Laurel (Kalmia polifolia)
- Western Bog Laurel (Kalmia microphylla)