Native Plants
Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.
Leucothoe fontanesiana
Leucothoe fontanesiana (Steud.) Sleumer
Highland Doghobble, Drooping Leucothoe
Ericaceae (Heath Family)
Synonym(s): Leucothoe axillaris var. editorum, Leucothoe catesbaei, Leucothoe editorum
USDA Symbol: lefo
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
A multi-stemmed, broadleaf evergreen shrub, 3-6 ft. tall, with a fountain-like arching habit. Branches often appear weighted down with the drooping spikes of white, waxy, urn-shaped flowers. Long, pointed, dark-green, glossy foliage turns red-green and purple in winter. New growth is often quite red.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: WhiteBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun
Distribution
USA: AL , GA , KY , MA , NC , NY , SC , TN , VANative Distribution: Mts. of VA to GA & TN
Native Habitat: Moist woods along the mts.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part ShadeSoil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Moist, acidic soils.
Conditions Comments: Sunscald, leaf burn and winter dieback problems. In very humid areas, the plant must have at least six hours of sunlight to discourage leaf spot diseases.
Propagation
Description: Germinate seeds under mist or a plastic tent. Semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings root easily with hormone treatment.Commercially Avail: yes
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Evergreen screening shrubs for New York
May 27, 2008
I need evergreen screening shrubs that aren't too deep. The shrubs are to be planted along an existing wrought iron fence, which is a few feet behind a children's swing set.
view the full question and answer
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACW | FACW | FACW |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Bibliography
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Additional resources
USDA: Find Leucothoe fontanesiana in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Leucothoe fontanesiana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Leucothoe fontanesiana
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-10-19Research By: TWC Staff