Pristine Mountain Laurel. This is probably the purest white of all Mountain Laurels, or Kalmia latifolia. It was found near Graniteville, SC, only a few miles from Nurseries Caroliniana, by the late Mrs. Ernestine Law and was introduced by Woodlanders in Aiken, SC. I have seen some nurseries describe it as "dwarf", growing only 4 ft. tall, but the plant from which our cuttings were taken is at least 8 ft. tall with an equal spread. Our original rooted cutting of this is about 7 ft. tall now. This area here in Aiken County, SC, has some of the thickest stands of Kalmia that I have ever witnessed anywhere. There is one area in the city of Aiken named Kalmia Hill. It can be found growing in some of the most harsh conditions imaginable: under long-leaf pines, Pinus palustris, and turkey oaks, perched on kaolin outcroppings. I have even seen it adapting to poor sandy dry conditions where one would never think of a Mountain Laurel growing.
Zones 5-9
