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sheep laurel (Kalmia)
Also known as : Lambkill, Sheep-poison
Sheep laurel (Kalmia) are a small group of evergreen shrubs in the heather family. Sporting thick leaves and showy flower clusters, several of these plants are popular ornamentals, although they can be tricky to grow due to their proclivity towards acidic soils. Several species within the genus go by the common name "sheeps-kill" or "lambs-kill" because of these plants' extreme toxicity to livestock.
Lifespan
Perennial
Key Facts About sheep laurel
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Attributes of sheep laurel
Leaf type
Evergreen
Scientific Classification of sheep laurel
Distribution of sheep laurel
Feedback
Distribution Map of sheep laurel
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for sheep laurel
Feedback
Sheep laurel requires partial to full sunlight and thrives in cool, moist, well-drained acidic soil. Ideal temperatures range from cool to moderate. Watering should maintain consistent soil moisture without waterlogging. Sheep laurel faces challenges with pests such as lace bugs and diseases like leaf spot or root rot. Seasonally, sheep laurel benefits from protection against harsh winter winds and excessive summer heat. Spring pruning and mulching help maintain health and encourage blooming.
Exploring the sheep laurel Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Mountain laurel
The mountain laurel is most known for its reproductive methods, in which it creates tension on its stamens and flings its pollen onto insects. It is possible for the mountain laurel to release pollen in a range of up to 15 cm.
Sheep laurel
Sheep laurel (Kalmia angustifolia) is an evergreen shrub that grows to 91 cm tall. It is a poisonous plant with no edible qualities and can be found growing in bogs, swamps and other wetlands. It blooms late spring and early summer with clusters of deep pink flowers, shaped like saucers.
Sand-Myrtle
Sand-Myrtle (Kalmia buxifolia) is an evergreen shrub that will grow to 91 cm tall. Glossy, dark green leaves turn to bronze in winter. Blooms clusters of tiny white or pink star-shaped flowers from late spring to early summer. Thrives in full shade or partial shade with moist, well-drained soil. Perfect in gardens or used as a border.
Wild azalea
Wild azalea (Kalmia procumbens) is a flowering perennial shrub found throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Its tough evergreen leaves grow in tight clusters helping it to survive in colder environments. In summer Kalmia procumbens produces small pink crown-shaped flowers.
Bog laurel
Bog laurel (Kalmia polifolia) is native to northeastern North America. It is pollinated by bees, but when the bees have pollinated this plant, the honey they produce is poisonous. The plant is highly toxic to humans and animals. Caribou, however, can eat most plants, including this one.
Bog-laurel
Bog-laurel is a flowering shrub commonly found in the bogs of North America (hence, the common name). Its decorative flowers and short, manageable stature (it typically only reaches 20 cm in height) make it a popular choice for home gardens. However, bog-laurel and its sister species are extremely toxic to both people and animals, so take care when near this plant.
Hairy laurel
The epithet "hirsuta" means "covered with coarse stiff hairs," appropriate as the hairiness of the leaves is one major character in distinguishing this species from its relatives. Kalmia hirsuta is a shrub up to 1.2 m tall. Leaves are elliptic to ovate, up to 1.4 cm long. Inflorescences form in the axils of the leaves, with 1-5 flowers. Flowers are pink with red spots.
Mountain laurel 'Tiddlywinks'
Mountain laurel 'Tiddlywinks' has a compact growth habit, growing to about 91 cm at maturity. It produces reddish-pink buds that open to softer pink bell-shaped flowers with white highlights. These flowers contrast nicely with this plant's ornamental glossy dark green leaves.
All Species of sheep laurel
Mountain laurel
Mountain laurel
The mountain laurel is most known for its reproductive methods, in which it creates tension on its stamens and flings its pollen onto insects. It is possible for the mountain laurel to release pollen in a range of up to 15 cm.
Sheep laurel
Sheep laurel
Sheep laurel (Kalmia angustifolia) is an evergreen shrub that grows to 91 cm tall. It is a poisonous plant with no edible qualities and can be found growing in bogs, swamps and other wetlands. It blooms late spring and early summer with clusters of deep pink flowers, shaped like saucers.
Sand-Myrtle
Sand-Myrtle
Sand-Myrtle (Kalmia buxifolia) is an evergreen shrub that will grow to 91 cm tall. Glossy, dark green leaves turn to bronze in winter. Blooms clusters of tiny white or pink star-shaped flowers from late spring to early summer. Thrives in full shade or partial shade with moist, well-drained soil. Perfect in gardens or used as a border.
Wild azalea
Wild azalea
Wild azalea (Kalmia procumbens) is a flowering perennial shrub found throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Its tough evergreen leaves grow in tight clusters helping it to survive in colder environments. In summer Kalmia procumbens produces small pink crown-shaped flowers.
Bog laurel
Bog laurel
Bog laurel (Kalmia polifolia) is native to northeastern North America. It is pollinated by bees, but when the bees have pollinated this plant, the honey they produce is poisonous. The plant is highly toxic to humans and animals. Caribou, however, can eat most plants, including this one.
Bog-laurel
Bog-laurel
Bog-laurel is a flowering shrub commonly found in the bogs of North America (hence, the common name). Its decorative flowers and short, manageable stature (it typically only reaches 20 cm in height) make it a popular choice for home gardens. However, bog-laurel and its sister species are extremely toxic to both people and animals, so take care when near this plant.
Hairy laurel
Hairy laurel
The epithet "hirsuta" means "covered with coarse stiff hairs," appropriate as the hairiness of the leaves is one major character in distinguishing this species from its relatives. Kalmia hirsuta is a shrub up to 1.2 m tall. Leaves are elliptic to ovate, up to 1.4 cm long. Inflorescences form in the axils of the leaves, with 1-5 flowers. Flowers are pink with red spots.
Mountain laurel 'Tiddlywinks'
Mountain laurel 'Tiddlywinks'
Mountain laurel 'Tiddlywinks' has a compact growth habit, growing to about 91 cm at maturity. It produces reddish-pink buds that open to softer pink bell-shaped flowers with white highlights. These flowers contrast nicely with this plant's ornamental glossy dark green leaves.
Mountain laurel 'Little Linda'
Mountain laurel 'Little Linda'
Mountain laurel 'Little Linda' is a dwarf cultivar of the Mountain laurel. Besides its small size, this cultivar is also characterized by atypical small leaves and an abundance of tiny, pink flowers that form attractive clusters. Even when not in bloom, this cultivar offers a magnificent display with its evergreen leaves and compact form.
Mountain laurel 'Kaleidoscope'
Mountain laurel 'Kaleidoscope'
Mountain laurel 'Kaleidoscope' has distinctive flowers that certainly give the illusion of a kaleidoscope. These flowers bloom from dark red buds in late spring and summer and form clusters of maroon and dark red with white margins. The parent plant is typically light pink or white and not as variegated. Mountain laurel 'Kaleidoscope' is also much smaller and more compact than its parent. Gardeners love that this extravagant shrub is low maintenance and deer resistant.
Mountain laurel 'Elf'
Mountain laurel 'Elf'
Mountain laurel 'Elf' is so named because of its diminutive size. This mountain laurel grows to a maximum height of 1.9 m, in marked contrast to the mature size of the parent plant, which can reach 15 m. Gardeners favour the mountain laurel 'Elf' for its tightly-packed pale-pink flowers that give a tidy appearance compared to other Mountain laurels.
Mountain laurel 'Minuet'
Mountain laurel 'Minuet'
The mountain laurel 'Minuet' blooms like an upside-down umbrella, showing a brilliant, dark cinnamon ring inside the white-pink bloom. This dwarf version of the mountain laurel has ovate, glossy dark green leaves. Remaining tightly compact, gardeners use it as a point of color in the landscape or as a tidy hedge.
Mountain laurel 'Ostbo Red'
Mountain laurel 'Ostbo Red'
Mountain laurel 'Ostbo Red' is a stunning ornamental mountain laurel that boasts striking pink and red flower clusters that differ spectacularly from the pink and white flowers of its parent plant. This plant blooms in late spring/ early summer and can grow into deep thickets in its favored acidic soils. The thick foliage is evergreen, making it good year around garden addition
More Popular Genus
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Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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About
Key Facts
Distribution
How To Care
All Species
More Genus
sheep laurel
Kalmia
Also known as: Lambkill, Sheep-poison
Sheep laurel (Kalmia) are a small group of evergreen shrubs in the heather family. Sporting thick leaves and showy flower clusters, several of these plants are popular ornamentals, although they can be tricky to grow due to their proclivity towards acidic soils. Several species within the genus go by the common name "sheeps-kill" or "lambs-kill" because of these plants' extreme toxicity to livestock.
Lifespan
Perennial
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Key Facts About sheep laurel
Feedback
Attributes of sheep laurel
Leaf type
Evergreen
Scientific Classification of sheep laurel
Distribution of sheep laurel
Feedback
Distribution Map of sheep laurel
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for sheep laurel
Feedback
Sheep laurel requires partial to full sunlight and thrives in cool, moist, well-drained acidic soil. Ideal temperatures range from cool to moderate. Watering should maintain consistent soil moisture without waterlogging. Sheep laurel faces challenges with pests such as lace bugs and diseases like leaf spot or root rot. Seasonally, sheep laurel benefits from protection against harsh winter winds and excessive summer heat. Spring pruning and mulching help maintain health and encourage blooming.
Exploring the sheep laurel Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Mountain laurel
The mountain laurel is most known for its reproductive methods, in which it creates tension on its stamens and flings its pollen onto insects. It is possible for the mountain laurel to release pollen in a range of up to 15 cm.
Sheep laurel
Sheep laurel (Kalmia angustifolia) is an evergreen shrub that grows to 91 cm tall. It is a poisonous plant with no edible qualities and can be found growing in bogs, swamps and other wetlands. It blooms late spring and early summer with clusters of deep pink flowers, shaped like saucers.
Sand-Myrtle
Sand-Myrtle (Kalmia buxifolia) is an evergreen shrub that will grow to 91 cm tall. Glossy, dark green leaves turn to bronze in winter. Blooms clusters of tiny white or pink star-shaped flowers from late spring to early summer. Thrives in full shade or partial shade with moist, well-drained soil. Perfect in gardens or used as a border.
Wild azalea
Wild azalea (Kalmia procumbens) is a flowering perennial shrub found throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Its tough evergreen leaves grow in tight clusters helping it to survive in colder environments. In summer Kalmia procumbens produces small pink crown-shaped flowers.
Show More Species
All Species of sheep laurel
More Popular Genus
Feedback
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
Nearly 5 years of research
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
