Coastal Leucothoe Leucothoe axillaris
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- loo-KOH-thoh-ee ak-sil-LAIR-iss
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Coastal Doghobble is an evergreen shrub that may grow 2 to 4 feet tall. It grows in moist, acidic places such as swamps and pocosins. The leaves are alternate with a toothed or fuzzy margin. The bark is smooth and light brown. In spring, small, white, bell-shaped flowers develop in the leaf axis on 2- to 3-inch hanging clusters. The shrub produces a dry, brown capsule that occurs in long clusters and matures in the fall.
Grow the Coastal Doghobble in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil, it prefers acidic, organic soil. It can be grown in full sun but must have good moisture. It 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.
HIGHLY TOXIC MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!
Fire Risk: This plant has a high flammability rating and should not be planted within the defensible space of your home. Select plants with a low flammability rating for the sites nearest your home.
Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: Root rot and leaf spot are occasional problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Woodland Backyard Garden Walk
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Greesprite'
- 'Jenkins'
- 'Margie Jenkins'
- 'Greesprite'
- 'Greesprite', 'Jenkins', 'Margie Jenkins'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Greesprite'
- 'Jenkins'
- 'Margie Jenkins'
- 'Greesprite'
- 'Greesprite', 'Jenkins', 'Margie Jenkins'
- Tags:
-
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Leucothoe
- Species:
- axillaris
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South Eastern U.S.A
- Fire Risk Rating:
- high flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Its flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinators. It provides good cover, especially in the winter.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- This plant is highly resistant to damage from deer.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Mounding
- Spreading
- Vase
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a globular, 5-lobed capsule, more or less depressed at the apex. Fruits appear from September to October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Description:
- Clusters of slightly fragrant, heather-like, white flowers bloom on the Coastal doghobble from Match to May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The Coastal doghobble features thick, shiny, dark green leaves. The leaves are alternate, simple, leathery and turn a purplish-bronze hue in winter. They range from 2" to 4" long. New growth is bronze-red, twisted and curved.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Riparian
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Problems:
- Frequent Disease Problems
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- Salivation and nasal discharge, sweating, tingling sensation, headache, depression, weakness, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, paralysis, coma, low blood pressure, death. Ingestion of a few leaves can cause serious problems.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Andromedotoxin.
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Leaves
