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Cressler, Alan

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.

From the Image Gallery

9 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: AL , GA , KY , MA , NC , NY , SC , TN , VA
Native Distribution: Mts. of VA to GA & TN
Native Habitat: Moist woods along the mts.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil 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

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

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 Plants
FNA: Find Leucothoe fontanesiana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Leucothoe fontanesiana

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-10-19
Research By: TWC Staff

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