Coastal Doghobble
Leucothoe axillaris
A tidy evergreen groundcover shrub for shaded borders. Glossy leaves through winter, early white flowers for waking bees, and deer leave it alone.
Typically 1 quart–3 gal · $17–$85 · final price at pickup
- Thu, Sep 248 AM – 4 PM
- Fri, Sep 258 AM – 4 PM
- Sat, Sep 268 AM – 2 PM
Compact native evergreen groundcover for shaded borders. lower and tidier than mountain doghobble, with better heat tolerance.
Coastal doghobble is the lower, more compact, and slightly more sun-tolerant of the two native Leucothoe species, a naturally tidy evergreen groundcover shrub for shaded borders in zones 6 through 9. The glossy, dark green leaves hold well through winter with minimal browning, and the short, dense growth habit makes it naturally mound-forming without pruning. In late winter and early spring, small white fragrant flower clusters appear along the stems, not as dramatic as mountain doghobble, but earlier and appreciated by native bees just emerging. It's native to the coastal plain rather than the mountains, giving it slightly better heat and drought tolerance than its Appalachian relative. In a shaded, moist border or woodland edge, it fills in over time to form a clean, low groundcover layer that doesn't get weedy and doesn't need edging. Deer won't touch it.
A nursery-grown plant, ready for the ground.
Healthy, container-grown coastal doghobble propagated on-site at Hill House from regional genetics. Includes a one-page care card. We make every effort to supply plants as listed; occasionally we substitute a similar species of equal value.
Plant coastal doghobble instead of Nandina (Nandina domestica) in shaded foundation plantings. Same job in the garden, without the spread.
- Sun
- Part shade
- Water
- Average
- Mature size
- 2–4 ft · 4–6 ft wide
- Bloom time
- Late winter to spring
- Bloom color
- White
- USDA zones
- 6–9
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Native range
- Southeastern United States from Virginia to Florida along coastal plain stream banks and wet woods
Care notes for coastal doghobble.
Moist, acidic, well-drained soil in part to full shade. More heat tolerant than mountain doghobble; suited to zone 6-9 gardens. Mulch to maintain moisture and acidity. Minimal pruning needed; remove any winter-damaged tips in spring. Spreads slowly by stolons to fill in naturally. No fertilization.
Pairs well with these.
Same light, same soil, same wildlife. Janet's picks to plant alongside coastal doghobble.
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