The mountain laurel "Ginkona" with its striking flowers comes from the USA and is still very rarely found in gardens in this country. It is very well adapted to our climate and is also very easy to plant.
The mountain laurel "Ginkona" belongs to the genus Kalmia and the heather family. The evergreen shrubs can grow up to 1.5 meters tall. However, they grow quite slowly and are therefore also suitable for smaller gardens. The leaves are alternate and have a stalk about one centimeter long. Up to 40 individual flowers appear on the racemose inflorescences. The flowers are white and have an attractive pink to red border. Five-chambered capsule fruits are formed. The seeds only reach a length of about one millimeter.
The spread of the mountain laurel "Ginkona"
The mountain laurel is widespread in North America. There the plant is called mountain laurel. Natural occurrences are found between Maine to the east and Indiana to the west. In Pennsylvania and Connecticut, the mountain laurel is honored as a state flower. The plant even gave its name to the town of Laurel, Mississippi.
The mountain laurel prefers to thrive in forests and on mountain slopes. The plants grow up to altitudes of almost 2,000 meters. In flat, rather wet zones, the growth appears particularly dense. In the higher and drier areas, the growth habit appears looser and lighter.
The mountain laurel was first described botanically in 1624. Kalmia was later named after the Swedish naturalist and agricultural economist Pehr Kalm, who was born in the early 18th century and brought samples of the plant to Carl von Linné.
The mountain laurel found its way to Europe in the 18th century. Even then, the pretty flowers were valued and Kalmia were important as an ornamental plant. The Hamden-based Connecticut Experiment stationed for the cultivation and breeding of the mountain laurel "Ginkona" and other species of the heather family.
When does the mountain laurel "Ginkona" bloom?
The flowering period extends from May to June. The flowers have a white base color and are pink to red at the edge.
Different kinds ofPortrait of a mountain laurel
In addition to the mountain laurel "Ginkona", there are numerous other varieties on the market. A distinction is made between varieties with narrow and broad leaves. Different growth heights and flower colors open up numerous possibilities for attractive group planting in your home garden.
❍ Mountain Laurel "Galaxy"
This variety can grow up to 1.5 meters high. The star-shaped flowers are particularly attractive, featuring white petals with burgundy flecks. A clear difference to the wild varieties of mountain laurel can be seen in this breed.
❍ Mountain laurel "Bandeau"
This plant is also known as the large mountain laurel and reaches heights of growth of up to three meters. In addition, there is also a small breed on the market. It only grows a little over a meter tall. The robust plant defies any weather and shows a rich bloom. The pink flowers are partially covered with red speckles.
❍ Mountain laurel "Ostbo Red"
This mountain laurel is one of the most attractive members of the plant family. The growth height is about one meter. Even the bright red buds are an eye-catcher. The flowers are light pink and very numerous.
❍ Mountain laurel "Midnight"
The mountain laurel "Midnight" is one of the rare mountain laurel varieties. The plants grow to a height of around 1.5 meters and impress with their red-black flowers, which contrast beautifully with the white exterior of the flower.
Plant mountain laurel "Ginkona"
When planting the mountain laurel "Ginkona", its natural requirements must be observed. The plants are quite undemanding and therefore it seems incomprehensible that a mountain laurel can only be found in a few gardens and the plants are still regarded as true exotics by many hobby gardeners.
Location:
When choosing the location, it is also important to consider the height and spread of the plant. Moving can be problematic, especially with older plants. Therefore, the mountain laurel "Ginkona" should be allowed to remain at the chosen location.
The plant grows slowly and takes about ten years to reach a height of about 70 centimeters. The Kalmia are fully grown at about 1.5 meters.
Hobby gardeners benefit from the fact that the climatic conditions in North America do not differ significantly from our climate. When choosing the location, the rhododendron can be used as a guide. A sunny location is ideal. Light penumbrais also tolerated. The mountain laurel should grow in a sheltered location. Storms and late frosts can damage the plant.
» Tip: The mountain laurel "Ginkona" does very well in group plantings with rhododendrons and is also an ornament in moor gardens.
The right location in keywords:
- sunny
- light
- protected
- alone or in groups
Substrate:
The mountain laurel "Ginkona" does not make any special demands with regard to the substrate. The soil should be loose and permeable. Irrigation water must always be able to drain off well, as the plants do not tolerate waterlogging. Drought is also not tolerated, so moist, fresh soil is ideal. Normal potting soil can be used for the mountain laurel "Ginkona".
» Tip: Loamy or sandy soils are less suitable for the cultivation of the mountain laurel "Ginkona".
The plant also doesn't like calcareous soil. It is advisable to determine the pH of the soil in advance. Every garden store has the appropriate test strips. Mountain laurel feels comfortable in an acidic environment. This is given with a pH value of 4.5 to 5.5.
The right substrate in keywords:
- loose
- fresh
- moist
- sour
- lime-free
- permeable
- humos
» Tip: Where rhododendrons feel comfortable in your garden, the mountain laurel will also thrive.
Planting mountain laurel "Ginkona" - explained step by step
The mountain laurel can be planted in spring or autumn. Fall planting should be done as early as September, if possible, so that the plants can take root well before winter.
How to do it:
❶ Select location
❷ Loosen and enrich soil
❸ Dig planting hole
❹ Water root ball
❺ Insert plant
❻ Fill in substrate
❼ Close the planting hole
❽ Lay the watering rim
❾ Press down the substrate slightly
❿ Water the plant well
In order to loosen the soil, it must first be treated accordingly. Heavy soil must be dug up and loosened before planting. Coarse sand ensures the permeability of the soil and prevents waterlogging. By adding compost, an organic long-term fertilizer is also provided. The planting hole must be dug sufficiently deep and wide. Three times the width of the bale and twice the bale depth should be used as a benchmarkserve.
» Tip: The mountain laurel "Ginkona" should not be planted too deep. The area where the roots begin on the trunk should still be above ground.
Cultivate mountain laurel "Ginkona" in a bucket
Since the mountain laurel does not take up a lot of space and only grows slowly, the plant is well suited to being kept in a bucket. The roots do not go too deep, so the planter should be quite wide. A clay pot with saucer is the ideal planter for the "Ginkona" mountain laurel. The substrate should be of correspondingly high quality, because the plant has to be able to cope with a limited supply of substrate and nutrients in the tub.
» Tip: The planter should exceed the circumference of the root ball by at least ten centimetres.
Before planting, drainage should be laid to protect the plant from waterlogging. For this purpose, a layer of clay or lava granules is laid out on the bottom of the pot. After planting, the plants are watered well.
Attention poisonous! When caring for and cultivating the mountain laurel "Ginkona" it should be noted that it is a poisonous plant. All parts of the plant are considered poisonous. It contains the substances arbutin and grayanotoxin, which are toxic to humans, horses, goats or cattle. Symptoms of poisoning such as dizziness, nausea and heart and breathing problems can occur. Keep small children and pets away from the plant. Gloves should be worn when working.Care for mountain laurel properly
Casting:
Watering requires a bit of finesse, because the plants tolerate neither drought nor waterlogging. How much ultimately has to be watered also depends on the current weather conditions, the location and the time of year. Before pouring, the surface should be checked. Allow the soil to dry slightly before watering again.
» Tip: The plants are sensitive to lime. Therefore, rainwater should be used instead of tap water. Even stagnant water can be used, since the lime content in it is quickly reduced.
Since the mountain laurel has only very shallow roots, it cannot obtain liquid from the deeper layers of the soil and therefore needs watering quite often. An evenly moist soil suits the plant well. If a sunny location has been chosen, the plants need significantly more water than in a half-shady place.
Fertilize:
Barren soils areto be processed accordingly at the time of planting. The soil quality can be improved by adding compost or horn shavings. Organic fertilization should be carried out in spring and autumn.
» Tip: Mountain laurel can also be supplied with rhododendron fertilizer. Make sure the nitrogen content is as low as possible.
Container plants need fertilizer regularly and give liquid fertilizer for flowering plants like this one every four to six weeks.
Pruning:
Like all members of the heather family, the mountain laurel tolerates pruning very well. However, radical pruning measures will usually not be necessary, because the mountain laurel grows slowly. Thinning cuts can be made at any time. The best time for this is spring.
» Tip: Young plants can be grown into pretty branched shrubs if they are pruned back slightly before flowering.
Sick and dead wood can be cut out in spring and winter. Likewise, all inward growing branches should be removed. These impair the overall appearance of the plant.
A complete pruning is recommended for heavily bare plants. A pair of eyes should remain on each shoot so that the plant can sprout again. The plants usually tolerate a radical pruning well. However, it will take a few years to regain the original growth height.
» Tip: Use sharp and sanitized cutting tools. Always wear gloves when working as all parts of the mountain laurel "Ginkona" are poisonous.
Propagation:
The mountain laurel has a phenomenon related to the reproduction of the plant. Plants have their own way of dispersing pollen. Tension builds up in the filaments of the stamens. If insects settle on the flower, this tension is discharged and the pollen is literally thrown at the insects. Scientists have found that the pollen can be thrown ten centimeters and more.
Propagation itself is not an easy task. The propagation of cuttings is hardly successful. Roots form on the shoots only extremely rarely. In the trade are mostly cultivated forms. Propagation by seeds is not possible. The sowing succeeds only in the wild varieties. A promising possibility of propagation is the production of sinkers.
Propagation by lowering
Become a sinkerwon in early summer. For this method you will need:
- well-developed mountain laurel plant
- Wooden Stick
- cord
- stone
Proceed as follows:
A strong shoot is required that has not yet become woody and reaches down to the ground. A furrow is made in the ground to accommodate the shoot. The front shoot tip sticks out of the ground at a length of about ten centimetres. The subterranean shoot is now covered with earth and weighed down with a stone or a similar object so that it cannot spring out of the earth again. So that the shoot tip has an upright growth, it is attached to a wooden stick. Now the sinker is watered evenly.
» Tip: The sinker has usually already formed its first roots in autumn. In order for a strong, independent plant to develop, the shoot should not be separated from the mother plant until spring, if possible, and then grow as an independent plant.
Hiberation:
The plants are quite frost hardy and can spend the winter in the garden bed. However, additional winter protection is welcome and appropriate. A sheltered location is an advantage in winter. The plant is particularly affected by harsh winds and frosts. You offer the mountain laurel a good winter protection if the soil is covered with mulch. Foliage and twigs also protect against penetrating frost.
If the plants are kept in pots, winter protection is absolutely necessary. The frost can penetrate the planter much more easily than the soil and if the planter freezes completely, this means the end for the plant, because the mountain laurel can then no longer absorb any nutrients. Planters should be well wrapped in garden fleece and not placed directly on the ground.
Recognize and combat diseases and pests on the mountain laurel "Ginkona"
With the mountain laurel "Ginkona" you get a robust and hardy plant in the garden. An advantage in this case is also the toxicity of the plant. This circumstance also keeps most pests away. However, due to incorrect care, the plant can be permanently weakened, which ultimately makes it more susceptible to diseases and pests.
❍ Vine weevil - voracious beetles at work
The vine weevil is one of the most common pests found in the home garden. Damage to leaves and roots occurs. Since the pests not only appear particularly voracious, but also rapidlymultiply, quick action is required.
Recognize:
An infestation with vine weevils can be easily recognized by signs of feeding on the leaf edges. The leaves have arcuate indentations that appear particularly accurate. The Beetle literally does a great job. If the entire plant begins to become ailing and wither, this is a sign that the larvae of the vine weevil are already tampering with the roots. Immediately after hatching, the roots are first debarked and then completely hollowed out. This inevitably leads to the death of the mountain laurel.
Fight:
The beetles cannot be overlooked and can therefore also be collected individually from the plant. This should be done after dark and with the help of a flashlight, because vine weevils are nocturnal animals.
» Tip: If you don't want to catch beetles at night, you can set up flower pots or boards next to the plant as shelter for the beetles and then collect them there during the day.
For the natural control of the vine weevil, a solution of soft soap or lye from tansy can also be used. The plants are treated extensively with these solutions. Spraying should be done several times so that the population is not only reduced, but can be combated in a targeted and effective manner.
❍ Leaf spot disease
Here the all-clear can be given first, because leaf spot disease is not a serious problem for the plant, but rather an optical impairment. Plants that are exposed to the blazing winter sun or strong winds due to unfavorable location selection are affected by the disease. In order to prevent unsightly leaf discolouration, the plants should be given winter protection.
» Tip: The fungus multiplies particularly in damp weather. Then the leaves can appear completely discolored or have holes.
Fight:
The disease can be effectively prevented by selecting a species-appropriate location. A balanced ratio of light, sun and nutrients protects the mountain laurel from diseases and pests. Affected plant parts must be removed immediately and do not belong in the compost. The stubborn fungus cannot be combated with home remedies. If the infestation is widespread, the plants should be discarded.
Repot "Ginkona" mountain laurel
Since the plants only grow slowly, they usually don't have to be repotted every year.Young plants should be checked regularly. If the roots have penetrated the planters and the root network is already sticking out of the edge of the pot, it is urgently time for a new planter. With older plants it is sufficient to change the substrate from time to time. The plants should receive a soil replacement about every three years. The planter can be retained.