How to grow mountain laurel from seed has long been a mystery to gardeners. While this plant does make wonderful ornamental shrubs and gardens, it is not considered a true herb by botanists. It has only recently been classified as a true herb by the USDA (US Department of Agriculture) since it was not considered a true grass by the earlier edition of the same name. It was not considered a true herb because it did not have the tall growing habit of its relative cacti. It also has never been found growing wild in areas outside of forests. This article will provide some information on the unusual and rarely seen mountain laurel plant.
Mountain Laurel comes from a bushy plant which has full sun or partial shade to cope with most conditions. Mature plants reach a height of one to two feet with dark green leaves which turn colors of bronze to gold during their fall. The plant grows as a tree in full sun or partial shade in damp clay soil. It prefers rich, moist, full sun or partial shade in the south and central north.
Growing and harvesting Mountain Laurel is quite similar to harvesting any other deciduous evergreen. They both require pruning to keep them healthy and allow for complete blooming. One difference between the two however, is that Mountain Laurel is not at all susceptible to freezing or frost. This is due to its distinctive evergreen trait and ability to handle acidic soils. In order to flourish in the Midwest where it can be found in dense clays of the upper Midwest, this deciduous evergreen needs to be planted in rich soil with an acidic pH level.
Like all deciduous trees, Mountain Laurel trees have dormant periods where no growth occurs. During these times, the trees’ roots are still active and can grow the roots into the soil where it is needed. Planting a Laurel in such condition will ensure that the tree has the correct environment for successful growing. When looking for information on how to grow Mountain Laurel from seed, remember that the trees are more at home in full shade and acidic soil.
If you live in the North Central states, such as Minnesota, or Wisconsin, chances are that you are growing the evergreen in clay soil. Clay soil does not hold onto moisture very well, which is why the trees prefer full sun, because it allows more sunlight to penetrate the soil to provide the energy necessary for photosynthesis. Some of the most successful planting locations for Mountain Laurel include locations with full sun, located near a body of water, and close to a body of land with low fertility. The tree is also successful in a variety of zones including cool and dry.
Before planting, you must determine the optimum planting location, one that has the adequate amount of sunlight, moisture and drainage for the specific evergreen requirements of the Mountain Laurel. The tree prefers full sun, so make sure that you place the tree in a location where it will always be in a shaded area. For the best results, make sure that the location is never shaded for more than two weeks during the year, because full sun tends to fade the colors of the evergreen quickly. For optimal drainage, look for an area that slopes slightly toward the center. This helps to channel away rainwater, preventing pools of stagnant water underneath the evergreen.
In order to determine the proper preparation of the soil for planting, it is important to first know how much organic matter and how much soil. Organic matter refers to the non-absorbable matter found in the soil such as fallen leaves, bark, grass, seeds and other naturally occurring matter. On the other hand, soil is composed of rock salt, sand and other absorbable material. When growing the mountain laurel from seed, you must make sure that the plant receives enough organic matter and that it grows in a structure that allows free flow of water. In addition, there should also be plenty of drainage holes in the soil so that excess water is drained away. It is also important to remember that you have limited space and that planting a tree too close to another or a tree too big in size can completely dwarf the smaller plant.
The number of growing points in a plan should be limited because each should have only around six to ten leaves. The evergreen should be planted in partial sun and should be mulched frequently during dry winter seasons. The roots should be kept separate from each other using wire cages, wire wires or plastic tubing. If you are interested in learning how to grow mountain laurel from seed, you can check out the Internet for more information.
