Coastal doghobble
Leucothoe axillaris · Ericaceae
📷 KENPEI · CC BY-SA 3.0
⚠️ Feuilles contiennent glucosides cardiaques; ingestion par chiens, chats et enfants provoque troubles digestifs, arythmies.
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around coastal doghobble and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, dark green, slightly bronze in winter
- Blooming
- Spring (March to May), white flowers in drooping clusters
- Mature size
- 1.2 m in height, compact shrubby form
- Growth
- Moderate to slow
- Hardiness
- Zone 6 to 9 (hardy to approximately -15 °C)
- Origin
- Southeastern United States (Carolina, Georgia)
- Soil type
- Acidic, well-drained, humus-rich
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Same requirements as L. fontanesiana: consistently moist peaty soil, partial shade.
The common mistake
Planting in dry chalky soil; it yellows quickly and barely flowers, even with proper hardiness conditions.
The pro's trick
If your soil is chalky, grow it in a container with ericaceous compost and keep it that way; easier than amending 2m³ of soil in place.
Care
Watering
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water regularly during the growing season and during dry summers. In winter, reduce watering but don't let the substrate dry out completely. A mulch layer helps retain moisture.
Light Exposure
Position your leucothoe in partial shade to shade. It tolerates full sun in cool regions but prefers dappled light, especially in warm climates. Protection from drying winds is recommended.
Soil
Prepare acidic soil (pH 5.5 to 6.5), rich in organic matter and well-drained. Amend the soil with peat or leaf mold at planting time. Avoid alkaline or compacted soils.
Pruning and Deadheading
Perform light cleanup after flowering to remove spent flowers and dead or poorly oriented branches. Prune moderately to maintain a harmonious shape. Avoid drastic pruning, which weakens the plant.
Fertilizing
Apply an acidophilic plant fertilizer in spring and early summer, once or twice. Follow recommended dosages, as excess nitrogen can reduce flowering. Moderate feeding is generally sufficient.
Diseases and Pests
Watch for spider mites and mealybugs in dry conditions. Excellent drainage and adequate humidity prevent most fungal issues. Remove diseased foliage promptly to prevent spread.
Did you know?
Leucothoe axillaris is a hallmark plant in North American woodland gardens, prized by landscapers for its elegant foliage that takes on spectacular coppery tones in winter. Its botanical name 'Leucothoe' pays homage to Greek mythology, while 'axillaris' refers to its flowers emerging from the leaf axils, a characteristic feature of the genus.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- CowberryVaccinium vitis-idaea
- Cross-leaved heathErica tetralix
- Bog rosemaryAndromeda polifolia
- BearberryArctostaphylos uva-ursi
- Strawberry treeArbutus unedo
- Tree HeathErica arborea
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.