Sharing is care !
It ’s not only exotic plants from far - flung corners of the globe that make for beautiful and showy garden specimen . The shine mountain fetterbush is a slap-up native option for innate garden that requires very little upkeep if plant in the right-hand country . Read on to learn more about this colorful evergreen plant bush .
What IsLyonia lucida?
Lyonia lucida , unremarkably experience as the shining mountain andromeda , bright leaf , fetterbush , fetterbush lyonia , hurrahbush , or Staggerbush is a 3 - 5 ft marvelous evergreen shrub of the Ericaceae ( heathland ) family .
This plant is aboriginal to the southeasterly coastal plain of the United States , from Louisiana in the due west , throughout Florida , and to Virginia in the east , where it may occasionally reach heights of up to 13 ft ( 4 m ) . Fetterbush grows in the understory of shrubby bog , wet savannas , cypress swamp , wet woods ( wet pine flatwoods ) , peaty copse , and stream depository financial institution .
These multi stanch shrubs have beautiful leathery leaves that are glossy fleeceable . The simple leaves are alternately arrange and have suave , entire margins .
Photo by Bob Peterson from North Palm Beach, Florida, Planet Earth! – Fetterbush (Lyonia lucida)Uploaded by Jacopo Werther, CC BY-SA 2.0
Mature leaves measure 3 - 6 inches ( 7.5 - 15 cm ) long by 1 - 3 inch ( 2.5 - 7.5 cm ) widely . Each leaf has a major nervure encircling it just inside the sharpness , and a prominent ridge appears along the bottom side of the leaf boundary line .
Many plant of the genusLyoniaare known to be highly toxic to humans and animal if consume , and some may cause aggravation or rash if touched . L. lucidais not known to share these toxic qualities , although there are conflicting reports , and one should regale this flora with some respect to outride on the safe side . However , it attracts bee and other pollinators .
Over time , these works will form colonies via root sucker and rootstock .
Shining Fetterbush Flowers
Shining fetterbush flowers are usually pinkish but vary from clean to red . The gaudy flowers are borne in bunches from the bases of leaves .
These fragrant , bell - shaped blooms are produced in axillary clusters of 10–15 in recent wintertime to early leaping and are regularly visited by bee and butterfly .
The small , ¼ inch ( 6 mm ) long flower age into 1/3 inch ( 8 mm ) foresighted woody brown fruits .
How To GrowLyonia lucida
smoothen fetterbush can be grow from unprepared seed sow in in early spring , cut , or root division . These plants can be grown in full sun , although they prefer full to fond shade or dappled twinkle .
In the natural state , this shrub fly high in bogs and swamps and tolerates soils that are periodically flooded and ill drained . Still , when planted in dwelling house , it look to prefer acidic , moist soil with a pH below 6.8 and can be grown in poorly debilitate peaty soils with tumid amounts of constitutional stuff .
It is crucial to maintain soil moisture levels to ensure the plant ’s optimal increment and health .
It is a slow - growing evergreen plant shrub ideal for naturalizing in property with damp to seasonally wet soils . These sweetly fragrant flowers may not bloom in nutrient - poor ground to save energy . Should this be the case , a slow - release fertilizer may be helpful .
Care and Maintenance
This is not the gentle plant to keep in dear health unless planted in a naturally seasonally moist surface area . expanse susceptible to seasonal flooding most closely mime the status that this plant life is conform to grow in .
If set in a desirable area , however , minimum maintenance is necessary . These Alexander Graham Bell shape flower can be trim back back to the desired height when necessary .
dress your fetter bush to encourage unexampled growth and bloom , ideally in late spring or early summertime . Focus on removing idle , diseased , or crossing branches to maintain air circulation and shape . Aim for illumination , thinning cut on healthy stems to encourage shaggy-coated growth and vibrant blooms .
Theseshrubsare comparatively disease - resistant but may be susceptible to flora problems such as leaf post . If this is the case , centre on keep the flora ’s foliage ironical , removing moved leaves and branches , and perhaps stick in a general - function fertilizer to amend the plant ’s wellness before looking at more drastic beat like fungicides .
Uses
This plant ’s suckering habit make it a good option for shrub borders when plant in suitable condition . Otherwise , this showy species is idealistic for naturalized aboriginal garden , especially in seasonally flooded areas where other plant can not flourish .
FAQs
What are the leafage of mountain fetterbush ?
The leaves of fetterbush ( Leucothoe spp . ) are typically elliptic , leathery , and evergreen
How grandiloquent does a mountain fetterbush get ?
The top of a fetterbush can alter depending on the specific species and cultivar , but they generally pasture from 3 to 6 understructure marvellous .
How many time of day of sunlight does Fetterbush genus Lyonia need ?
Fetterbush ( Lyonia spp . ) typically prosper in full sun to part spectre . It broadly speaking involve at least 4 to 6 hour of direct sun day by day for optimal maturation and wellness . And it take less than 2 hours to get no direct sunlight for deep shade .
Conclusion
In determination , Lyonia lucida care is crucial for maintaining the health and vibrancy of this unique plant . With its orientation for acidic soils and tolerance for various light condition , these pinkish flowers can be a versatile addition to your garden or landscape .
Embrace the beauty of Lyonia lucida in your outdoor quad with the right tending and appreciation for its born characteristics .
See more : How to handle for Leucothoe fontanesiana
