With its glossy evergreen foliage and bold spring bloom, Kalmia latifolia 'Red Bandit' brings year-round structure and a dramatic flower show to woodland edges and mixed borders. In late spring to early summer, tight clusters of deep pink buds open to cup-shaped blooms with a distinctive maroon-red band inside each flower, creating a rich two-tone effect that stands out in shade gardens.

Give your mountain laurel a site with acidic, humus-rich soil that stays evenly moist but drains well. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal, and it will also tolerate brighter sun or deeper shade when soil moisture is consistent and roots stay cool. Mulch with pine bark or leaf mold to protect shallow roots, moderate temperature swings, and conserve moisture.

Expect a mature size around 48-60 inches tall with a similar spread when established. Growth is typically slow, forming a dense, rounded shrub that develops character with age. Water during dry spells, especially for the first couple of seasons, and avoid heavy fertilizing, which can stress plants that prefer lean, acidic conditions.

Prune only as needed, and time it right: remove spent flower clusters and make light shaping cuts soon after bloom, since next year's flower buds form on old wood. Like other mountain laurels, all parts are poisonous if eaten, so place it where curious pets and children are unlikely to nibble.

Specifications

• Cold hardiness zone: 5-9 (-20 degrees F) - Contact your local extension to confirm hardiness if you are in a fringe zone (we cannot guarantee hardiness in fringe zones)
• Light: Full sun   Part sun   Shade
• Growth rate: Slow
• Mature height: 48-60"
• Spread: 48-60"
• Evergreen: Yes
• Native to the U.S.: Yes

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