How to Trim a Mountain Laurel

Mountain Laurel, known botanically as Kalmia latifolia, is a species of broadleaf evergreen shrub belonging to the heath family. As heath plants, the species is related to rhododendrons, azaleas, blueberries and cranberries, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, where mountain laurel serves as the official state flower. The shrubs produce dense clusters of blooms in late spring and early summer. As a broadleaf evergreen, regular pruning is neither required nor desirable, but some light trimming for shape and size can be tolerated.

• 1

  Prune your mountain laurel shrubs in the early spring after the last hard frost but before new growth is evident. This will likely diminish bloom performance for the current year. Alternatively, trim the shrubs in the early summer after the blooms have faded for the season. Do not prune later in the year, as this can spur tender growth that will be killed by low winter temperatures.

• 2

  Select overgrown branches that extend past the natural shape and preferred size of the shrub. Cut these limbs back to lateral, outward-facing branches, placing each cut on a slight angle just 1/4 inch above a leaf node or bud.

• 3

  Deadhead the spent flower clusters after they've faded and begun to die back, by snapping the cluster off the stem. Hold the branch in position with your free hand to prevent the branch and any other flower clusters or leaves from being damaged. Deadheading is not a required practice, but can keep the shrubs looking tidy and fresh.