Coast Leucothoe Agarista populifolia
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Leucothoe populifolia
- Phonetic Spelling
- ah-gah-RIS-tah pop-yoo-lih-FOL-ee-ah
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Florida Doghobble is an evergreen shrub that grows to 12 feet tall. This plant tends to sucker and can be used for stabilization along moist, shady, stream banks. It is useful as a foundation plant or understory plant in a woodland setting. It can be maintained at any height with proper pruning. Upright stems with irregular branching, copper-red new growth turns to glossy green; the hardiest leucothoe; can be severely pruned to control height. The Florida doghobble prefers partial shade but tolerates sun with adequate moisture. It grows best in cool, moist, acidic, highly organic soil. Blooms mid-Spring to early Summer. Useful as a foundation plant or understory plant in woodland setting. Attractive to bees, butterflies and birds. Juvenile leaves reportedly used as salad greens,
HIGHLY TOXIC IF EATEN!
Often sold in trade misidentified as Leucothoe axillaris or under synonym Leucothoe populifolia.
Seasons of Interest:
Leaf: Year-round Blooms: Spring Nut/Fruit/Seed: Fall
Quick ID Hints:
- LEAVES glossy, deep green, lanceolate 2-3" long
- FLOWERS white, urceolate, fragrant, below foliage
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Tyler's Treasure'
- 'Tyler's Treasure'
- 'Tyler's Treasure'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Tyler's Treasure'
- 'Tyler's Treasure'
- 'Tyler's Treasure'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Agarista
- Species:
- populifolia
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern USA
- Wildlife Value:
- It provides excellent winter cover and nesting sites for songbirds. Flowers attract bees and butterflies.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- This plant is highly resistant to damage from deer.
- Edibility:
- Poisonous
- Dimensions:
- Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasional Flooding
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Displays from September to October
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Description:
- Fragrant, creamy white urceolate flowers in axillary (growing from an axil) raceme from April to May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Glossy, simple, alternate, leathery, rich green leaves that grow on stems that often arch gracefully. Its foliage, tinged with copper-red on new growth, remains green through the winter. Leaves are similar to laurel.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Multi-stemmed
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Erosion
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
