What is the sun exposure like during the *winter*. That is going to be a much bigger problem than noon sun during the summer for broadleaf evergreens.

Also, what is your soil pH? Too high just puts additional stress on the plants.

I would say they will get the same amount of sun maybe a bit more...all we have is deciduous trees nearby, no evergreens. The house blocks the eastern sun completely. The trees are so thick in the west that there is not much sun available even in winter.

I am not sure about the pH...we do have ironwood, sugar maples and red oak growing so I would dare to guess that it is not highly alkaline.

How do people provide shade in winter? Do most people grow these under conifers?

Thanks so much for your reply :)

Kalmia can take much more sun than Rhodies and Pieris. Here in zone 6 (this site won't let me change my page info, including zone!), I have one kalmia in full sun--it does have good drainage with good moisture--and it's doing beautifully. Planning to put in another in a similar exposure this spring.

It wouldn't work here, but I was hoping that someone in your zone (or nearby like laceyvail) would chime in.

All of these plants have fairly shallow root systems. So if the ground freezes solid, they can't move water to prevent winterburn. Jaynes, the Connecticut mountain laurel guru, recommends that they need at least some screening from winter sun, but that the shade from leafless deciduous trees is adequate. I have a line of box in my backyard, and the end that is lightly shaded by a large oak comes through much better than the end closer to the tree where the sun comes straight under the canopy. Remember that winter sun angles are much lower, so depending on how far the line of deciduous trees is from the new plants, they may not get any direct, full bore sun during the winter.

If you are going to play around with any of these plants, try to get a soil pH test done. These are acid loving plants, and can get very tricky to grow if the soil conditions aren't right.

Kalmia likes it moist and cool. Sun for hours in late afternoon during hot weather amounts to full sun in terms of plant selection - plants needing coolness will burn there even though it is not direct sun all day.

I have four Kalmia's planted in my front, north facing, yard. However, they are far enough away from anything to be pretty much in full sun. My soil is in the 6. ph range, well draining and they get good moisture. This is only the start of their third year in the ground but they seem to be doing very well. Good growth, good color, lots of blooms.

Alexis

I have kalmia growing in full sun from 3pm till dusk and by far it's best looking and blooming kalmia of many I grow.
FWIW.

I have 2 kalmias in full sun and they are outstanding. They are growing much more compact than those in partial shade, and they are loaded with blooms each year. I've never had any issues with them at all.