Anonymous wrote:Why struggle with kalmia? Rhododendrons grow fuss-free in this area.

Because it is my favorite.

Kalmia needs acidic soil and in most urban/suburban locations in DC our soil isn't acidic enough. Being near concrete and foundations tends to raise ph.

Dwarf fothergilla is a great plant - native, spring flowers, not too big, great fall colors.

Hostas work well if you don't have deer issues. Sum & Substance is a very large one. Other plants that grow very well in similar conditions are heuchera/coral bells, Jacob's Ladder, Foamflower (Tiarella)

Rhododendrons are easier than Kalmia. Hydrangeas are another great option. Smooth hydrangea (hydrangea arborescens) is native and has the benefit that it blooms on new wood - this means harsh winters won't kill all the blooms, which is the main problem with hydrangea macrophylla, the species with the big pink or blue mopheads.

Why struggle with kalmia? Rhododendrons grow fuss-free in this area.

I planted 3 dwarf Kalmia, one survived, wheere I grew up, the hilly woods behind my house were filled with them. My favorite shrub.

The one that survived is in the most woodslike spot in my yard, under taller trees, lost of leaf litter, dappled shade.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kalmia is struggling as well. Killed one, the other is hanging on but not exactly thriving. Around here they will need some shade, lots of soil amendment, and extra water. And prayer.

Where have you planted your kalmia? Any lesson learned? 🥺

My kalmia is in front of my porch on the north side of the house, so part shade. The soil is our typical suburban clay (builders, even back in the 50’s when my house was built, scraped off the topsoil and sold it, leaving just the clay). I amended it some before planting the kalmia. It’s just too hot, and I think not acidic enough. I am a serious gardener, but I do not pamper plants. They need to thrive where they are planted, with the water that falls, or they can just move along. The poor kalmia may be in that process. Suburban DC is no substitute for mountain slopes, unfortunately.

OP. I live in a 100 year old rowhouse. I am hoping at that time builders left the native soil as is, but who knows. It’s really a tiny yard, compared to suburban lots. The yard is also sloping so I have a little hope that the kalmia will survive 🤞

If you see Kalmia in the wild, you’ll notice that they take significant shade and are often on the sides of hilly areas. They need sharp drainage, which is pretty impossible in our clay soil. Expect it to do nothing for several years and eventually decline and die.

Your Itea WILL sucker. Every year, I give away dozens of its suckers. I think AI landscape plans are in the trust but verify category. Make sure that someone that knows what they’re doing looks it over.

Our laurels die EVERY year, we gave up.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kalmia is struggling as well. Killed one, the other is hanging on but not exactly thriving. Around here they will need some shade, lots of soil amendment, and extra water. And prayer.

Where have you planted your kalmia? Any lesson learned? 🥺

My kalmia is in front of my porch on the north side of the house, so part shade. The soil is our typical suburban clay (builders, even back in the 50’s when my house was built, scraped off the topsoil and sold it, leaving just the clay). I amended it some before planting the kalmia. It’s just too hot, and I think not acidic enough. I am a serious gardener, but I do not pamper plants. They need to thrive where they are planted, with the water that falls, or they can just move along. The poor kalmia may be in that process. Suburban DC is no substitute for mountain slopes, unfortunately.