Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Ericaceae

Genus:

Kalmia

Species:

Kalmia ericoides

Growth Characteristics

Height:

150 cm

Drought Tolerance:

Low

Bloom Colors:

pink, white

Evergreen Shrub:

Yes

Landscaping Shrub:

Yes

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:

★★★☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:

★☆☆☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

bees, butterflies

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Can resprout after fire; fire helps maintain open habitat in its native range.

Source: DeepSeek deepseek-chat

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days

Germination Time:

30–60 days

Notes:

Seeds require cold stratification for 60-90 days to break dormancy; surface sow on moist, acidic medium.

Source: DeepSeek deepseek-chat