dwarf mountain laurel (kalmia) vs dwarf cherry laurel (otto luyken)

[Anonymous]

Trying to figure out evergreen shrubs for the front side porch of a north facing house - it's a tall house, with another tall house to its side, so it really doesn't get a lot of sun where we're looking to plant. Prefer native. We put in dwarf mountain laurels in the spring, and they don't look so hot right now. Not sure if it's the soil (typical clay soil around NOVA) or if we didn't water them enough. We're deciding whether to keep/replace as needed the mountain laurels (some look healthier than others), or whether to replace them all with cherry laurels. A quick search indicates that cherry laurels do better in clay soil than mountain laurels, but the cherry laurels may need more sun? The cherry laurels look like they will fill out at a faster rate than the mountain laurels which is certainly appealing, but ultimately I just want something that will thrive there.

TLDR: Anyone have experience with dwarf mountain laurel shrubs and/or dwarf cherry laurel shrubs in mostly shade with clay soil?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Trying to figure out evergreen shrubs for the front side porch of a north facing house - it's a tall house, with another tall house to its side, so it really doesn't get a lot of sun where we're looking to plant. Prefer native. We put in dwarf mountain laurels in the spring, and they don't look so hot right now. Not sure if it's the soil (typical clay soil around NOVA) or if we didn't water them enough. We're deciding whether to keep/replace as needed the mountain laurels (some look healthier than others), or whether to replace them all with cherry laurels. A quick search indicates that cherry laurels do better in clay soil than mountain laurels, but the cherry laurels may need more sun? The cherry laurels look like they will fill out at a faster rate than the mountain laurels which is certainly appealing, but ultimately I just want something that will thrive there.

TLDR: Anyone have experience with dwarf mountain laurel shrubs and/or dwarf cherry laurel shrubs in mostly shade with clay soil?

OP here back to say that I guess otto luyken isn't native... for some reason I thought it was. Still considering it as long as it's not invasive... but also open to other ideas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Trying to figure out evergreen shrubs for the front side porch of a north facing house - it's a tall house, with another tall house to its side, so it really doesn't get a lot of sun where we're looking to plant. Prefer native. We put in dwarf mountain laurels in the spring, and they don't look so hot right now. Not sure if it's the soil (typical clay soil around NOVA) or if we didn't water them enough. We're deciding whether to keep/replace as needed the mountain laurels (some look healthier than others), or whether to replace them all with cherry laurels. A quick search indicates that cherry laurels do better in clay soil than mountain laurels, but the cherry laurels may need more sun? The cherry laurels look like they will fill out at a faster rate than the mountain laurels which is certainly appealing, but ultimately I just want something that will thrive there.

TLDR: Anyone have experience with dwarf mountain laurel shrubs and/or dwarf cherry laurel shrubs in mostly shade with clay soil?

The dwarf mountain laurels are tough to grow around here. It is really too hot/warm for them specially night time temperatures and humidity. They do not like heavy soils. Even the non dwarf is slow growing. If you want to try Kalmia look at varieties like Kalmia latifolia 'Pristine' but your soil does not seem like a fit.

You can try Prunus caroliniana (Carolina Cherry-laurel). It is native to the south east.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, that’s helpful info!

[Anonymous]

OP here. I'm now thinking about illicium parviflorum (bananappeal anise) or inkberry holly. Currently leaning towards the illicium. Any experience with these?

[Anonymous]

Illicium parviflorum is a small tree. No personal experience but it’s not something I have seen used around here much. I have a bunch of Ilex glabra. Just be aware that it’s dioecious and males can be hard to come by. I finally found one last week at Hill House Nursery

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Illicium parviflorum is a small tree. No personal experience but it’s not something I have seen used around here much. I have a bunch of Ilex glabra. Just be aware that it’s dioecious and males can be hard to come by. I finally found one last week at Hill House Nursery

Thanks. The illicium I’m looking at is a small shrub. For the inkberry, does it matter if you don’t have a male shrub?

[Anonymous]

Mountain laurels are beautiful but I don’t think they grow well here. Go enjoy them in Shenandoah.

There are a bunch of native and “nativar” inkberry hollys that could work maybe!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Illicium parviflorum is a small tree. No personal experience but it’s not something I have seen used around here much. I have a bunch of Ilex glabra. Just be aware that it’s dioecious and males can be hard to come by. I finally found one last week at Hill House Nursery

Thanks. The illicium I’m looking at is a small shrub. For the inkberry, does it matter if you don’t have a male shrub?

I have a bananappeal anise in a container out front - it is a cute small shrub. I love the color and it does fine in a mostly shady spot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Illicium parviflorum is a small tree. No personal experience but it’s not something I have seen used around here much. I have a bunch of Ilex glabra. Just be aware that it’s dioecious and males can be hard to come by. I finally found one last week at Hill House Nursery

Thanks. The illicium I’m looking at is a small shrub. For the inkberry, does it matter if you don’t have a male shrub?

I have a bananappeal anise in a container out front - it is a cute small shrub. I love the color and it does fine in a mostly shady spot.

Thanks!