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Native Plants of the Southeast

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Eubotrys racemosus
Coastal Fetterbush, Swamp Dog-laurel, Fetter-bush, Leucothoe, Sweetbells Leucothoe, Sweet Bells, Swamp Doghobble, Swamp Sweetbells

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Sweetbells Leucothoe is a handsome, deciduous, colony-forming, understory shrub which is naturally found in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont swamps, bogs and wetlands of Southeastern states. It can be cultivated easily in upland sites as well, reaching up to ten feet tall in consistently moist and shady locations. Arching, mostly unbranched stems bear bright green, finely serrated leaves and long racemes of delicate, fragrant, urn-shaped flowers. The foliage assumes beautiful red, orange and purple color in fall, unusual for a shady shrub. Although colonial, it is not aggressive and adds a pleasing form and texture to a woodland landscape.

Last Updated: May 15, 2019

Key Info

Scientific Name: Eubotrys racemosus (L.) Nutt.
Common Names: Coastal Fetterbush, Swamp Dog-laurel, Fetter-bush, Leucothoe, Sweetbells Leucothoe, Sweet Bells, Swamp Doghobble, Swamp Sweetbells
Family Name: Ericaceae (Heath Family)
Plant Type: Tree / Shrub
Uses: Naturalizing, Pond edge, Mass planting, Stream buffer, Bio-retention
Light Requirement: Full sun, Partial/sunny, Partial/shady
Moisture Requirement: Wet, Moist well drained
Leaf Retention: Semi-evergreen
Bloom Times: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Flower Color: White
Special Characteristics: Good fall color, Tolerates wet conditions, Rhizomatous, Tolerates shade, Good wildlife cover/habitat, Fragrant flowers, Reported to be deer resistant.

Additional Info

Habit: Multi-stemmed, thicket-forming shrub with arching, often zig-zag branches.
Height: estimates vary from 6' to 12'
Spread: 8'
Growth Rate: Moderate
Soil Conditions: Wet, acid, organic sandy, loam, clay
Leaves: Alternate, simple, waxy leaves 1" - 3" long, with finely serrated margins and pointed tip, bright green and shiny above, paler below; turn bright red and purple in the fall/winter.
Flowers (or reproductive structures): Long racemes of drooping, white-pink, 1/4-1/2-inch, bell-shaped, fragrant flowers arising from end of the previous year's growth in spring.
Fruit: Flowers develop into dry capsules hanging in one-sided rows 5-7" long; mature in early fall.
Natural Distribution: Blackwater banks, cypress depressions, wet pine flatwoods, bogs and pocosins, mostly on coastal plain.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9
USDA Wetland Indicator Status in NC: FACW
Pollination: Bees, butterflies, other insects
Wildlife Connections: Attracts both bees and butterflies; thickets provide excellent cover for many small animals.
Downside: Leaves are poisonous to mammalian herbivores.
Propagation: From seed or from root cuttings.
USDA/NRCS Plant Distribution Map: View Map at USDA.gov
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Office/Jen/Bill:  919-542-6186

Who we are

Cure Nursery is a small nursery propagating and selling native plants for the Southeastern U.S. We are located near the town of Pittsboro, Chatham County, in central NC.

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Cure Nursery operates by appointment only. Call us or email us to place an order for pick up or to arrange a time to come visit the nursery.

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