- Can the mountain laurel tolerate drought or does it have to be watered?
- Is fertilization necessary?
- How do you cut the mountain laurel correctly?
- Does the plant have to be overwintered?
Unique flowers that you can look at for minutes without getting bored… They are vaguely reminiscent of rhododendron flowers. But only under the condition that the care is right, the mountain laurel develops its flowers every year and grows fabulously.
The mountain laurel should be fertilized once a year
Can the mountain laurel tolerate drought or does it have to be watered?
The mountain laurel does not tolerate prolonged drought. The soil should therefore not dry out. As soon as the surface has dried, you should water the plant - if there is no rain. If it's in a pot, it needs to be watered more often. This is especially true if it is in full sun. There it is best to keep the soil slightly moist.
Caution: Only use low-lime water for watering. Rainwater or stagnant tap water are well suited. The reason is that this heather plant is extremely sensitive to lime. Too much lime in the irrigation water can later lead to lime stains on the leaves.
Is fertilization necessary?
Basically, it is hardly or not at all necessary to fertilize the mountain laurel outdoors. However, if you want to stimulate its growth and strengthen it, you should consider this:
- fertilize once a year
- ideal time: spring
- use organic fertilizer e.g. B. compost or horn shavings
- alternatively provided with bark mulch
How do you cut the mountain laurel correctly?
Overall, the mountain laurel tolerates pruning well. But a cut is rarely necessary. The reason is the slow growth of this plant. You are welcome to remove the withered flowers in summer and thin out the plant in spring. For a bushier growth, it is also possible to shorten the shoots slightly. Then they branch out better.
Does the plant have to be overwintered?
Since the mountain laurel is extremely frost hardy, it does not have to be protected from frost or even overwintered. The exception are specimens that are in a rough position. You should protect them with brushwood or fir branches. In addition, young specimens are considered sensitive to frost. They should also receive winter protection.
tips
When handling the mountain laurel, always remember that this is a highly poisonous plant. For protection, you should therefore wear gloves and, if necessary, mouth and eye protection.