Kalmia latifolia 'Olympic Fire'

Rich red buds opening to soft pink almost white octagonal flowers in late May early June. This variety has a slightly more upright habit than some. The new foliage is a glossy green with a slight wave to the edge of the leaves.

Kalmias are a medium sized evergreen shrub from south-eastern USA and Asian mountains where they typically grow under the canopy of tall trees. They are an under used shrub which start flowering at the end of May going on well into June extending the flowering season of most gardens. Kalmia’s come in a variety of colours from red to pink through to burgundy and out to white, with many two-tone options.

• Ideal for containers and small gardens.
• Ideal position: fully sun to partial sun
• Ideal soil: pH 4.5 to 6
• Habit: slow growing compact
• Bred by: John Eichelser
• Hybridization date: pre 2000 (1966).
• Origin: Unkown
• Parentage: A seedling from Kalmia ‘Ostbo Red’

Customer Reviews

By Graham Acred on 11th July 2023

"Both plants arrived well packaged and in a short timescale, from placing the order; one of the plants was reasonably bushy and as expected, the other however was scrawny with far fewer leaves; some of which were yellowing, disappointing. My wife mentioned that if you saw that in a garden centre you certainly would not purchase. I did realise when purchasing that you only had the two available so I guess this is the reason? The good news however is that it does now seem to be recovering with some nice new healthy looking shoots appearing. "

Good to know

We offer a range of our favourite plants which associate well with rhododendrons. They all like similar growing conditions – moist acidic soil and dappled shade. Some of these are featured in our garden at Crosswater Farm, and often create plenty of interest and enquiries. Many are fairly rare and are unavailable elsewhere, but deserve to be better known.

All require good moist acidic soil with a high organic content, planted with good ericaceous compost. For a guide to plant spacing, use the height we give in 10 years as a guide to the distance between each plant. Plant no deeper than the top of the rootball, and dig in plenty of good ericaceous compost around the sides. A teaspoon of slow release feed is sufficient for a 3 litre plant, rising to a small handful for a mature plant.

For further advice, For further advice, see here

The Basics

Ideal soil

Acidic soil, good organic content, pH 4.5-6.0. Inkarho range of rhododendrons will tolerate soils up to pH7.5

Sun or Shade

Light dappled shade is best for most varieties.

Shelter

Refer to hardiness rating. Give young plants protection.

Site Selection

Avoid close to trees, roots, invasive weeds, walls, hot patios, dry banks and waterlogged soils. Do not use weed matting or stone mulch.

Plant spacing

Use the height shown in 10 years as a guide to the distance between each plant. Allow room for plant to fill out. If planting closer for instant impact, be prepared to move plants after a few years.

Compost

• 3 litre pot, dig in 10-20 litres of ericaceous compost.
• 7.5 litre pot, dig in 20-30 litres of ericaceous compost.
• 70-80cm specimen, dig in 60 litres of ericaceous compost.
• 100-120cm specimen, dig in 120 litres of ericaceous compost.

Planting depth

Plant high in the ground, with the top of the rootball visible.

Feeding

Slow-release ericaceous feed recommended in March and straight after flowering.

Mulch

Recommended every few years.

Water

The key ingredient! Keep moist all season, especially the critical time at end of June for flower bud initiation. Tap water is better than no water. Heavy dose at least once per week in dry weather.

Drainage

Ensure good drainage in winter, especially with yellow flowering varieties. Avoid waterlogged sites.

Pruning

Rhododendrons and Camellias: Not normally required. Tidy wayward shoots after flowering.

Evergreen azaleas and Bloombux can be clipped into a low hedge.

Magnolias and Acers: Formative pruning when young to shape into a tree or bush.

Deadheading

Remove old flower-heads, particularly on young or weak plants.

For further advice see here

Size Guide

Delivery & Returns

Our website calculates the delivery charge according to weight and delivery location throughout the UK. To see these charges, please enter your postcode at the checkout, and you will see the charge vary as you add more items to your wheelbarrow.

Please see here for delivery information

Please see here for cancellation and return information