Kalmiopsis leachiana

( kal - mee - OP - siss      lee - chee - AH - nuh )

At-A-Glance Information

This species of shrubs is native to the mountains of southwestern Oregon and is commonly called Siskiyou Kalmiopsis. These plants are considered rare, and are protected in some areas. The species was discovered in 1930 by Lilla Leach while she was exploring the Gold Basin area in the Siskiyou National Forest. They reach about 1 foot tall and 2 feet wide, and need partial shade and regular water. Rose-pink flowers bloom in early spring and dark green leaves cover branches. The roots of this plant need soil that has perfect drainage and is high organic content. Kalmiopsis leachiana grows best in zones 4-6 and 14-17.

Caring for and pruning Kalmiopsis leachiana shrubs

These shrubs do well in rocky, well-draining soil that is acidic to neutral. Plant in full sun to partial shade, and provide with regular water as it is getting established. Once established, these plants are relatively drought tolerant. Prune to remove spent blooms to keep the plant looking neat.

Propagation

​Kalmiopsis leachiana can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your shrub, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Kalmiopsis leachiana by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
  2. In summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch semi-hardwood portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Kalmiopsis leachiana by Seed
  1. Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
  2. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
  3. Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Problems and Pests

These shrubs are generally pest and disease free.
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Gallery

These subshrubs are at home in the Siskiyou National Forest.
The flowers on these shrubs are similar to those on Kalmias.
An artists' depiction of Kalmiopsis leachiana.

Videos

See these shrubs in their natural habitat.

Resources

PDF: Plant Propagation Protocol for Kalmiopsis leachiana
Kalmiopsis leachiana
Wikipedia: Kalmiopsis leachiana
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 391, Kalmiopsis leachiana
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