Plant of the Week: Mountain Laurel

DARK

Less light, less maintenance for you garden. No light no maintenance. Balance is beautiful; possible in all climates are gardens of shade. Mountain Laurel is a bright star in some of them. The bright side of dark is Shade Gardening.

Pennsylvania adopted keystone as its nickname around 1800, just about the time Connecticut residents realized they were in the “Nutmeg State”. Both share Mountain Laurel as their State Flower. Keystone refers to
the architectural element that creates the stability of a façade or even the
structure. Pennsylvania felt that should be their nickname based on the
critical role during our successful revolution. Local merchants supplied Red
Cedar shavings at the high price afforded to the spice craze for healthy
living. Nutmeg mixed with snake oil produced high living. Fortunately, they did not use Mountain Laurel as it is poisonous.

The resilience of Mountain Laurel includes a wide range of available sunlight. Private and public gardens can count on this beautiful evergreen from full sun to deep shade to thrive and provide beautiful blossoms as its fellow acid soil loving cousins’ bloom fade.

Whether provided by canopy trees or structures (some ofwhich have a keystone) shade can be a site asset that should be understood. Some homes in places such as Saudi Arabia and Arizona have walls high enough to provide cooling shade for water saving at root locations. Planning can includethe use of existing canopy to provide shade or the inclusion of high elements. Thesame concept that has influenced xeriscape gardening can be useful in all available rain regions. By directing water to dark areas of a site you will maximize its conservation. Properly planted or mulched these areas can help recharge the water table and groundwater. Providing a cool outdoor location for relaxing, reading and or napping helps us keep in touch with our special spot on Earth.

After checking sun angles and understanding the health and safety of existing vegetation study Mountain Laurel a bit. Native to the East Coast
of North America it has been exported to all continents except Antarctica.
Climate conditions allow it to live much farther North there than in can in
North America. Able to withstand Winter temperatures as low 30 degrees below zero this hardy native rewards us with fabulous flowers that last up to a month. Add in the evergreen component, from a visual standpoint it is a must have.

Deer populations have soared in many suburban areas. Politically correct hunting regulations and the required leashing of dogs as well as the virtual elimination of their major predators, especially Mountain Lions, deer
are prime beneficiaries of lousy planning in the United States, especially New England. Mountain Laurel are poisonous to animals including deer. Planting them in a hedge pattern around your shade garden is much kinder to the eyes than tall fencing. In fact some sprays used to deter wildlife foraging can include Mountain Laurel distillate.

Shade gardens can provide year round enjoyment. Ferns can be near or in the case of Christmas Ferns evergreen, add in variegated varieties along with the Hosta family and a solid base is established. Rather than using
groundcover strategy a selection of shade tolerant plants learning and
experience for the family or institution. Some Lilies, Bleeding Heart varieties not only survive but thrive in deep shade. Coralbelles have perhaps the widest range of varieties that are shade happy. Besides their amazing blooms many have fascinating leaves.

Canopy trees are not essential to shade gardens but should be thought of in short and long term concepts. A vast majority of trees are volunteers, as they grow in place randomly throughout our country. New England was essentially tree free when farms and ranches were the primary land use there. As they disappeared the trees tookover. Many species have been outdone and in some cases eliminated as others thrived. Norway Maple is a good example. One of the revered F. L. Olmsted's greatest faux pas was introducing this now invasive species. It releases chemicals into the root area to discourage competitor species. With a shelf life of up to 250 years the dark and barren ground under its canopy will probably be around longer than the average garden owner. Consider taking them down if they are dominating your landscape. A Mountain Laurel is the opposite,
it tolerates species directly under it and will tolerate full sun while providing shade. Maple makes great firewood and can make you garden more interesting after being felled. If you save some of the large pieces of trunkor major branches more fun can happen. Be aware that the species can be vulnerable to windstorms. Their rapid growth on shallow soils can set them up for easy takedown during storms.

For over a thousand years Chinese and more recently Native American settlers have used felled trees and even standing trees to grow mushrooms. As you sit in the cool of your shade garden on a hot Summer day you can remember the delicious mushrooms that made your first grilled steak that was made even better by your early Spring mushroom crop. Know that this Fall you are likely to get another yield, giving a new meaning to windfall if that is how your Norway Maple came down.  While Nutmeg only grows in Tropical climatemushrooms can be grown even in Connecticut backyards.

My favorite Mountain Laurel is the Olympic Fire variety. As the flame makes its way to London, try planting and enjoying one this year as the true keystone to theshady side of your world.