Florida hobblebush is an evergreen shrub in the heather family (Ericaceae) native to FL, GA, NC and SC. It is found growing in moist to wet woodlands, along streambanks, and hummocks in swamps. The shrub will grow up to 12 feet tall and 6 feet wide. Size can be controlled by pruning. It prefers part sun to shade in acidic moist to occasionally wet amended soil. It grows as a multistem shrub with arching branches that form colonies, making it difficult to walk through, hence the common name. Flowering occurs on old wood, so prune only after flowering is complete. The fragrant prolific bell-shaped flowers hang from the branches in May to June. The evergreen leaves emerge reddish and mature to green. This plant is used to stabilize banks of streams due to its spreading nature. It can be planted as a hedge or specimen in shady or woodland gardens and along streams and ponds. Do not plant where your pets are. Quick ID Hints : LEAVES glossy, deep green, lanceolate 2-3" long FLOWERS white, urceolate, fragrant, below foliage Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Deer resistant
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Moist | Occasional Flooding | Occasionally Wet
NC region
Coastal
Mature size
Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in. | Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Erect
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green; Orange; Red/Burgundy
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Leathery; Smooth
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Glossy leathery leaves are 3 inches long and 1 inch wide with toothed margins. New growth emerges reddish and matures to green. The leaves are alternate and simple.
Flower color
Cream/Tan; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Bell
Flower detail
The fragrant bell-shaped flowers hang from the underside of branch axils and bloom April to May.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Capsules mature to brown and split to release seeds. Displays from September to October
Stem detail
Stems are round and pith filled.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Southeastern USA
Distribution
FL, GA, NC, SC
Wildlife value
It provides excellent winter cover and nesting sites for songbirds. Flowers attract bees and butterflies.
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Problems & Resistance
Problems
Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses
Resistant to
Deer; Erosion; Heavy Shade; Humidity
Particularly resistant to
This plant is highly resistant to damage from deer.
Fire risk
medium flammability
Poison severity
High
Poison parts
Leaves
Poison symptoms
Ingestion of the foliage can cause watering of mouth, nose, eyes, later nausea, vomiting, sweating, abdominal pain, headache, weakness, skin tingling, convulsions