Show Time Mountain Laurel

Show Time Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia 'Show Time')

Show Time Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia 'Show Time') is a bold and colorful evergreen shrub that lives up to its name with vibrant floral displays and a tidy, mounding form. A standout among Eastern Mountain Laurel cultivars, it delivers brilliant late-spring color along with dependable year-round foliage for shaded garden spaces and woodland edges.

Distinctive Features

'Show Time' produces striking, deep pink flower buds that open into large, vivid pink blooms with white accents and darker pink banding. The flowers appear in rounded clusters that sit prominently above the glossy, dark green evergreen leaves. Reaching 5 to 6 feet tall and wide at maturity, this cultivar maintains a dense, rounded habit and offers strong ornamental value without overpowering smaller spaces.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Partial shade to full shade; prefers dappled sunlight or morning sun with afternoon protection
• Soil: Moist, acidic, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter
• Water: Moderate; appreciates consistent moisture but dislikes overly wet conditions
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5�8

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Bright blooms and evergreen form create strong visual impact in shady garden areas
• Foundation Planting: Adds color and structure beneath windows or shaded entrances
• Woodland Borders: Natural fit alongside ferns, rhododendrons, and native perennials
• Mixed Shrub Borders: Contributes reliable evergreen presence and seasonal interest
• Native Plantings: Supports habitat diversity while offering high ornamental appeal

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Keep soil evenly moist, especially during establishment and summer heat
• Pruning: Prune lightly after flowering to remove spent clusters and shape as needed
• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced, acid-loving fertilizer in early spring
• Mulching: Helps conserve moisture and insulate root systems
• Pest Resistance: Generally resistant to deer and common pests

Why Choose Show Time Mountain Laurel?

• Vibrant Bloom Color: Rich pink flowers deliver bold seasonal impact
• Evergreen Presence: Glossy foliage adds year-round structure and texture
• Moderate Size: Fits comfortably in beds, borders, and foundation plantings
• Shade Adaptability: Thrives in locations where many flowering shrubs will not
• Focal Point: Showy flowers and refined shape make it a centerpiece in shaded gardens

Kalmia latifolia 'Show Time' brings vivid color and reliable evergreen form to landscapes needing shade-tolerant solutions, making it a strong performer for gardeners who want standout bloom and structure in one compact plant.