Sweetbells Leucothoe Eubotrys racemosa
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Leucothoe racemosa
- Phonetic Spelling
- you-BOH-trees ray-see-MO-suh
- Description
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Swamp Doghobble is a 3 to 6-foot-tall deciduous shrub with alternate leaves. The shiny stems are a mix of green and red. In the spring, white, bell-shaped flowers appear on 3- to 4-inch racemes. Leaves turn red in the fall.
It prefers moist, cool, acidic soil in part shade. It can be grown in full sun but must have good moisture. Does not tolerate drought or windy conditions. Although winter hardy to Zone 5, this shrub should be planted in a protected location and given a good winter mulch in cooler areas. Can be evergreen in warmer zones.
This twiggy, spreading plant sends out suckers to form colonies. The bell-to-urn-shaped flowers appear in spring on 4-inch-long racemes. The leaves provide good fall colors.
Use it along slopes, near ponds or ditches, in a woodland garden, rain garden or as a foundation planting.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Although it has no serious insect or disease problems, it is susceptible to root rot and leaf spot.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Eubotrys
- Species:
- racemosa
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern U.S.A. to Texas
- Distribution:
- Massachusetts to Florida to Louisiana
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- 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:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Inconspicuous five-parted light brown capsules
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Urn
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The bell-shaped flowers are fragrant and occur in 4 inch long racemes in May to June.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Pointed green leaves, serrated margins and good fall colors of red, yellow and orange. They are up to 2.5 inches long.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Smoth green to reddish stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Pond
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Foundation Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
