Trees and Shrubs: Kalmia latifolia 'Firecracker'

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Kalmia 'Firecracker' is an easy care mountain laurel ideal for gardens up to Zone 5 and, if protected, works great in Zone 4. With a mature height of 3’x 2’ in 10 years, the Firecracker is a compact plant that is great for foundational plantings or to complement broadleaf evergreens. Since mountain laurel are “off-limits” to deer, it’s ideal for woodland settings. “Firecracker is a real crowd pleaser,” says Dan Meier, production manager at Briggs. “The deep red flower buds open to near white blooms that seem to explode with color, creating a spectacular contrast of red and white flowers that bloom simultaneously.” Among its many great attributes, Kalmia ‘Firecracker’ is resistant to leaf spot, a common problem with mountain laurels. It blooms from late spring to early summer and is best in full sun in a cool, moist, well-drained, acidic soil. ‘Firecracker’ also performs well in partial shade.

History:

Briggs Nursery grows over 9 million plants each year and produces a wide range of broad leaf evergreens and deciduous flowering plants so this exciting offering will be a “Firecracker” winner that is sure to explode onto the landscaping scene in 2009.