Apollo, Daphne and The Rich History of Bay Laurel Trees
Mountain laurel shrubs (Kalmia latifolia) are a close relative of rhododendrons and azaleas,

Catawba Rhododendron

all three shrubs belonging to the heath family. They are not related to their namesakes, though, the bay laurel trees. A broadleaf evergreen, mountain laurel bears glossy, deep green leaves that are attractive in all seasons.
But it is this shrub’s spring or summer flower display that makes it a special part of the woodlands it calls home in the eastern part of North America. The pictures of mountain laurel above were taken in New England, where the plant blooms in late June and early July.

Mountain Laurel Flowers

Mountain laurel bushes are sometimes confused with bay laurel trees (Laurus nobilis), the small Mediterranean trees prominent in history and literature.
The ancient Greeks and Romans fashioned bay laurel tree’s leaves into wreaths, to be worn as crowns by the victors in sporting events and military campaigns. When you think of Julius Caesar, you probably picture him wearing just such a wreath.

Californian bay laurel

Ever since, the foliage of bay laurel trees has been a symbol of victory. It is still used as such for the Olympics. We even have the expression, “to rest on one’s laurels,” meaning to be overly content with one’s past achievements. It is also this more famous laurel that is used as a flavoring agent in cooking, often referred to as “bay leaf.”

Daphne being transformed into a bay laurel tree

In Greco-Roman mythology the nymph, Daphne was transformed into a bay laurel tree, to save her from Apollo’s unwelcome advances. Apollo was chasing this daughter of the river-god, Peneus through the woods when the magical metamorphosis occurred. The tale of her transformation has been passed down to us by the Latin poet, Ovid -- in the appropriately titled, Metamorphoses. Edith Hamilton, in her Mythology, relates the tale to us in English with her usual charm:
“She felt his breath upon her neck, but there in front of her the trees opened and she saw her father’s river. She screamed to him, ‘Help me! Father, help me!’ At the words a dragging numbness came upon her, her feet seemed rooted in the earth she had been so swiftly speeding over. Bark was enclosing her; leaves were sprouting forth. She had been changed into a tree, a laurel.”
The subject of the present article, however, mountain laurel, is related to its namesake, the bay laurel tree only in name. Indeed, the common name for Kalmia latifolia derives from the fact that, when Europeans encountered it in the New World, it reminded them superficially of bay laurel trees. But while the foliage of bay laurel trees is used as a culinary herb, mountain laurel is poisonous! Another reminder of Why We Use Scientific Names when discussing plants!

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Mountain Laurel Flowers Best in Light Shade
Would you like to enjoy the beautiful flowers of mountain laurel plants on your own property? Mountain Laurel plants are not difficult to grow, if you follow a few simple rules. While the shrub will tolerate deep shade, you'll get more flowers if you plant mountain laurels where they'll get a bit (but just a bit) of sun. So grow mountain laurel plants in light shade for optimal flowering. Mountain laurel plants can be grown in zones 5-9 and will reach 5’-8’ in height. Their cup-shaped, speckled flowers range in color from white to pink.
Although many people try to propagate them by transplanting mountain laurels from the wild, you are far more likely to have success if you purchase them from a nursery. Digging up wild plants usually causes sufficient root damage to thwart your efforts at saving a buck.
Your chances of success will increase significantly if you buy a balled and burlapped plant from a nursery.

Soil is another factor to keep in mind in growing mountain laurels. Your soil should be moist but well-drained. This combination is not always easy to achieve. But adding peat moss, humus and sand before planting is a step in the right direction.
The pH of the soil should be on the acidic side. Consider acidity even when choosing a mulch for mountain laurel. Mulching will help retain some of that moisture the plant needs. The mulch will also keep the soil cool, which mountain laurels like. But organic mulches eventually break down into the soil, and in doing so affect soil pH. Some make the soil more acidic, others “sweeten” it (make it more alkaline). Thus for acid-loving plants like mountain laurel, rhododendron and azalea, pine needles or wood chips make excellent mulches. Upon decomposing, both make the soil more acidic. In either case, apply a 2”-6” layer of mulch. To learn more about mulching choices, consult Selecting the Proper Mulch.
When planting mountain laurels, do not plant too deeply. Make sure the mountain laurel plant's "crown" (where its trunk meets its roots) is not buried. Buried crowns will suffer from rot, and your shrub will die.
Mountain laurel plants rarely need to be pruned, although pinching off the seed heads after blooming time is over seems to promote better flowering for the next season. Should your mountain laurel plants get too tall for your landscape design plan, cut them back almost to ground level. These tough shrubs can take a severe pruning when necessary. From stubs just a few inches above the ground new foliage will arise, and your plants will mature into large shrubs once again in about ten years’ time.

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