Agarista populifolia (Florida Hobblebush)
Florida Hobblebush, Tall Fetterbush, Florida Leucothoe, Agarista, Andromeda populifolia, Leucothoe acuminata, Leucothoe populifolia, Leucothoe walteri
Agarista populifolia (Florida Hobblebush) is a large evergreen shrub with a lax, arching, multi-stemmed habit. Its gracefully upward-arching branches are clothed with alternately arranged, lance-shaped leaves. Emerging reddish-bronze, the leaves turn to light green as the season progresses, before maturing to rich, glossy-green. The foliage remains green through the winter and is clean and disease free. In late spring to early summer, profuse clusters of fragrant, creamy-white flowers appear along the undersides of the arching branches. The flowers mature into small round pods that ripen to brown before shedding their seeds. A desirable evergreen shrub for screening or growing along a stream.
- Grows up to 8-12 ft. tall (240-360 cm) and 5-6 ft. wide (150-180 cm). May grow wider over time with the emergence of suckers or vigorous shoots.
- A part shade to full shade lover, this plant is easily grown in moist, acid, fertile soil. Tolerates seasonal flooding.
- Perfect as a specimen or in groupings for borders, privacy screens. The spreading, suckering nature of Florida Hobblebush makes it useful for stream bank restoration.
- Low maintenance, this plant is generally disease and pest free. Deer resistant.
- Can be maintained at any height with proper pruning.
- Easily rooted from cuttings in late summer or fall.
- Leaves contain a volatile resin that deters herbivory, but can be fatal when ingested.
- Native to Florida, Georgia, South Carolina.
Buy Agarista populifolia (Florida Hobblebush)
Requirements
Hardiness | 7
– 9 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Shrubs |
Exposure | Partial Sun, Shade |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early,Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall Winter |
Height | 8' – 12' (240cm – 3.6m) |
Spread | 5' – 6' (150cm – 180cm) |
Spacing | 72" (180cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
Native Plants | United States, Southeast, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina |
Tolerance | Deer, Wet Soil |
Garden Uses | Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens, Ponds and Streams |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
By Lindsey Leeanna, Shutterstock
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 7
– 9 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Shrubs |
Exposure | Partial Sun, Shade |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early,Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall Winter |
Height | 8' – 12' (240cm – 3.6m) |
Spread | 5' – 6' (150cm – 180cm) |
Spacing | 72" (180cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
Native Plants | United States, Southeast, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina |
Tolerance | Deer, Wet Soil |
Garden Uses | Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens, Ponds and Streams |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |