In Finland this beautiful shrub is unfortunately winter tender and very seldom flowers, as the branch tips freeze if exposed above snow cover. Plants seed-grown from the best natural provenances might be hardier than nursery-produced plants. The species thrives best in semi-shade in spots similar to those favoured by rhododendrons.
Carl von Linné named the genus Kalmia after Pehr (or Pietari) Kalm, his Suomi student, who made an expedition to North America from 1747-1751. From this expedition, he brought back to his teacher specimens including the calico bush and sheep laurel (K. angustifolia). In 2011, the “Pehr Kalm and European Explorers commemorative coin” was minted, showing Kalmia latifolia on the obverse side.