Laurel Collection

Connecticut’s state flower, mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), is well represented at the Arboretum. Originally, there were as many as 150 different forms of the plant on the grounds, dating back to 1971. Two other natives thrive as well: sheep laurel (K. angustifolia) and eastern bog laurel (K. polifolia). Today, many of these planted laurels no longer exist, but a scattered few can be found within the Conifer Garden or elsewhere in the Arboretum. It’s hoped that the collection can be added to once again, as many exciting new cultivars have emerged since the original collection was established.

Native laurels have white to pink flowers, and broadleaf evergreen leaves. Mountain laurel can get very large when grown in the right conditions, while sheep laurel remains low-growing (1 to 3 feet). Bog laurel is a very small plant, barely reaching two feet, with hot pink flowers, found growing near wet areas. Many of the Arboretum specimens were donated by Dr. R. A. Jaynes, former plant geneticist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station in New Haven.