I tried one about 20 years ago that didn't make it, but I was so new to gardening any of a number of things could have done it in. They do need good drainage and may even benefit from planting a bit high on a mound (something I didn't do in my clay). A bit acid soil, dappled light, lots of organic material- that's about all I know.

tj

I live in zone 4 Minnesota and we have 8 cultivars. Last winter we had an extended period of excessively low windchills (9 days) and they suffered some damage (leaf burn) but all recovered quickly by early summer. That is the first damage done to them in all the years we've grown them.

We have found that using Wilt-Pruf is very effective in overwintering them in good condition. We also have leucothoe, Japanese holly, and lots of very tall rhododendrons that also benefit from Wilt-Pruf treatment. It's really a great product (I have no connection with the product other than being an admirer of it!)

kms

KMS, when do you apply the Wilt-Pruf? Is it a one time application?

Kat

We apply Wilt-Pruf as late in the season as the weather allows--usually early to mid-November here in MN zone 4. It must be 40 degrees or warmer to apply it.

Also, we grew small kalmia plants in a sheltered nursery bed until they got a foot or so tall, then moved them to areas where they would be protected from the worst of the winter wind.
kms

Thanks for the info Kms. I have Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald 'n' Gold' which I was thinking of using Wilt-Pruf on. Thing is, I have rabbits that nibble on my plants and I was wondering if this could hurt them. Maybe on the other hand, it might repel them.

Kat

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. I will have to look into the Wilt-Pruf for the Mountain Laurels as well as my other broadleaf evergreen shrubs.

Wirosarian, that makes total sense. I did have my soil tested and it was on the alkaline side. To help with my acidic loving plants I periodically throw in freshly used coffee grounds around those plants, working the grounds into the soil, to give them a little boost. My Rhodo's and my Mountain Laurels seem to be loving this treatment - well, except for one Mountain Laurel which doesn't look like it is going to make it regardless.

I guess only time will tell. Hopefully next spring I will only have the one Mountain Laurel to replace rather than replacing all 3 with a different shrub all together.

Amy, how did your mountain laurels fare in Wisconsin? I'm near Monroe, and am hoping to find one that will work. (thanks for any notes!)

I live near Luck, Wisconsin (western Wisconsin). Do you know if any nurseries near hear sell Mountain Laurel plants or do I need to order them online?