Tuesday 9 July 2013

The Mountain Laurel

The Mountain Laurel   Kalmia latifolia
 
Today I want to show you my favourite shrub in the garden, the lovely Mountain Laurel. It's an evergreen shrub/tree with dark green glossy leaves which belongs to the heath family, and is a close relative of the rhododendrons and azálias. Mine stands 1 meter 50 tall, by I meter 20 wide, and I just love the large flower clusters, and tiny buds which form in May. It is the spring and summer flower display that make it a special part of my woodland garden. The showy light pink to white flowers resemble shallow cups or bowls l inch wide, and are borne in clusters, best seen in my last photo. They are great for cutting and make beautiful floral displays.

30 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

really stunning little starbursts!

Giga said...

Krzew ma cudowne kwiaty i śliczne zdjęcia. Pozdrawiam.
Bush has wonderful flowers and beautiful pictures. Yours.

Rita Vaselli said...

Dear Sonia,this flower has an incredible beauty!
It takes magic eye,as your, to find and reveal the beauty
of nature! Thanks for sharing!
Hugs,Rita.

Maria said...

I like the intricacies of detail of this flower. It's not in the Caribbean, and you're the first to make a real detailed profile of its parts. I really like these!

Linda said...

Great close-up shots! I love mountain laurel too.

Breathtaking said...

TexWisGirl
Absolutely right! The buds are just as pretty as the flower itself.

Breathtaking said...

Giga
It really does have lovely flowers. I wish I had photographed it better, as the images are not really Sharp enough to show it's true beauty.

Marijke said...

What a large clusters of beautiful flowers. Never have seen it before.
Have a wonderful day Sonjia

Breathtaking said...

Rita Viselli
This flower for me is magical! It's beauty decorates my home and garden, and I'm always sorry when the blooms begin to fade and fall.
Something to look forward to next year:) Thank you Rita for such a lovely comment:)
Hugs and kisses.

Breathtaking said...

Maria
Knowing your interest in flowers I'm sure you would like to see and photograph these very pretty blooms making a better job of it than I have:=) I love your photos of flowers:)

Breathtaking said...

Linda
Hi Linda:) Thank you! I think this shrub originates from the USA, and it must be wonderful to suddenly come across it in the wild.

Breathtaking said...

Marijke
Well I'm pleased to have introduced you to my favourite shrub, and it's large clusters of flowers.

Enjoy your day also:)

Bob Bushell said...

What a pretty little flower, outstanding.

Breathtaking said...

Bob Bushell
Indeed Bob, beautiful blooms! Pity the flowers only last 2 months.

Joke (Joke's Camera) said...

I can imagine that you love that flower, Sonjia. It is gorgeous. I don't know it. Your pictures are great too. Do you pick the flowers often for a display? When I read the description of the plant I think it doesn't smell? Fantastic to have such a flower in your garden. Have a nice day. Greetings, Joke

Lasse said...

Lovely !

Breathtaking said...

Jokes (Jokes Camera)

My Kalmia latifolia shrub was absolutely covered in these blooms this year, hardly na inch between each cluster.Their fragrance is slight, rather like grapes but they make up for this with their visual beauty. I do make floral arrangments, and the clusters are so large that I only need a few which I mix with white azálias for a beautiful display.
Have a good day also Joke:)

Breathtaking said...

Lasse
Thank you Lasse:) Appreciate your visit.

Jerry said...

What an amazing plant Sonjia, never seen one before. I love the flowers shapes and patterns and of course your photography - beautiful.

Breathtaking said...

Jerry

Hi Jerry! Thank you, so pleased you like it:) This plant is uncommon even in nurseries.It was given to me years ago as a very small plant and I have cherished it ever since.

Have a great weekend:)

Unknown said...

I have not seen this flower before. They are dainty and quaint flowers though. The whole cluster is really pretty.

Breathtaking said...

Stiletto ElsieXie

I'm glad to have introduced you to the Mountain Laurel.The clusters are like na old fashioned posy.

Noushka said...

That is a magnificent flower and I am happy to discover it here.
The markings are very beautiful and your photos emphase them beautifully!
Cheers, enjoy your sunday!

Breathtaking said...

Noushka
Thank you Noushka:) Happy to show you something new:)

Brown Eyes said...

They are beautiful and beautify any garden or home. Kisses

Sonia Aguiar said...

Querida Sonjia, estas flores me han cautivado, no las conocía; gracias por mostrarlas, para mi es especialmente instructivo tu blog para adquirir conocimientos.
Un cariñoso abrazo, Sonia.
¡Feliz verano!

Breathtaking said...

Mary Brown
Yes indeed Brown Eyes, and they brighten my days with their beauty.
Hugs and kisses.

Breathtaking said...

Sonia Aguiar
Dear Sonia, it's my pleasure to share with you the things I love.
Hugs and kisses:)

S. Etole said...

Such an incredible little flower.

Breathtaking said...

S. Etole
Absolutely! It is gorgeous,.. not common here, but native to the US, and I believe grows profusely in the state of Virginia

Have a Happy Sunday:)

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