Kalmia Pink Charm
Kalmia Pink Charm is a compact evergreen shrub grown for its rich pink flowers, which open from deep pink buds in late spring. The buds are tightly pleated before they open, giving the plant a two-tone display as the clusters unfold. This kalmia holds its foliage year-round in a neat, dense habit and reaches around 1 to 1.5m high and wide at maturity.
This kalmia suits a woodland garden, a cottage garden, or a cool shaded border where it can be grown alongside rhododendrons, azaleas, and ferns. It works well massed in a block for a strong seasonal show, or planted as a single specimen in a sheltered corner. The rich pink tone pairs well with white-flowered shrubs and soft green foliage plants.
Grow Kalmia Pink Charm in part shade or dappled light. It prefers free-draining, humus-rich, acidic soil similar to that favoured by rhododendrons. Work compost through the bed at planting and mulch generously to keep the roots cool and moist. Avoid exposed, hot positions and heavy or waterlogged ground.
Water consistently through the first summer and during dry spells thereafter. Kalmia is toxic to cats, dogs, and horses if eaten, so take care in households with pets or grazing animals nearby.
Trimming: Trim lightly after flowering in early summer to maintain a tidy shape. Kalmia flowers on growth from the previous season, so avoid hard pruning. Remove any dead, damaged, or crowded stems to keep the centre open.
Deadheading: Deadheading is not essential. Removing spent flower clusters by hand can encourage the plant to put energy into new growth, but leaving them in place does no harm.
Fertilising: Feed in spring with a fertiliser formulated for acid-loving shrubs such as azaleas, camellias, and rhododendrons. A single application before new growth begins is usually enough. Avoid high-nitrogen or general-purpose fertilisers.
Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist through the growing season, especially during the first summer after planting. Kalmia dislikes both drought and waterlogged conditions. Mulch helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
Pest Control: Kalmia is generally trouble-free but can attract aphids, scale insects, and two-spotted mite, particularly in dry or stressed conditions. Check the undersides of leaves regularly and treat early with horticultural oil if needed.
Disease Management: Free-draining soil and good airflow reduce most disease risks. Avoid wet or compacted ground, which can lead to Phytophthora root rot. Clear fallen leaves and spent flowers from around the base to lower the risk of fungal issues.
Enjoy complimentary delivery anywhere in mainland New Zealand when you purchase plants worth $250 or more*.
For orders below $250, the following flat-rate delivery charges are applicable:
- Urban delivery within mainland New Zealand: $19.95
- Rural delivery within mainland New Zealand: $39.95
- Waiheke, Chatham and Great Barrier Islands: Please contact us for shipping options.
We aim to have all orders shipped within 14 days from the order date, unless a different shipping date is specified alongside a product.
