Fetterbush is a native evergreen shrub in the heath family that is found in swampy areas, bogs and wet woods from VA to FL and west to LA. It grows 3-6 feet tall and wide and has a dense arching often sprawling form that impedes (fetters) foot traffic of animals and humans making it a good hedge. This plant grows in moist to wet areas with seasonal flooding and prefers partial shade and rich acidic soil. It does well in better-drained sites though and can tolerate sandy soils once established. Small fragrant flowers appear in clusters in spring and are followed by woody 5-parted capsules. It spreads by root suckers and rhizomes to form thickets. Use this shrub in naturalized areas, wet sites, rain gardens and as a hedge or privacy screen. Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: The fetterbush is susceptible to leaf spot.
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.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasional Flooding
NC region
Coastal
Mature size
Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Dense; Erect; Spreading
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery; Smooth
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The leaves are smooth, thick, shiny, and evergreen. A major vein encircles each leaf just inside the edge, and a distinct ridge occurs around the lower side of the leaf margin. The midrib is lighter in color. They are 4 inches long and 2 inches wide.
Flower color
Pink; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Urn
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Pinkish flowers are urn-shaped and bloom in clusters from April to June. Color can also be red or white.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
5-parted oval seed capsules. Displays from September to October.
Bark color
Dark Brown
Bark detail
Brown bark which splits and finely shreds.
Stem color
Brown/Copper
Stem detail
Twigs are scaley, brown and angular
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
SE North America, NC and Cuba
Distribution
AL , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC , SC , VA
Wildlife value
It provides excellent cover, especially in the winter. Its flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Members of the genus Lyonia support the following specialized bees: Colletes product and Melitta (Cilissa) melittoides.
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Problems & Resistance
Problems
Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Children; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses
Resistant to
Deer; Poor Soil; Wet Soil
Propagation
Division; Root Cutting; Seed
Fire risk
medium flammability
Poison severity
High
Poison parts
Flowers; Leaves; Sap/Juice
Poison symptoms
Signs of Toxicity occur usually within six hours of consuming the plant. Symptoms include lack of coordination, excessive salivation, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, weakness, muscular spasms, watering of eyes and nose, slow pulse, colic, ataxia, depression, sweating, tingling of skin, convulsions, paralysis, coma, and sometimes even death. Toxicity in sheep, goats, cattle, and horses is most likely to occur in late winter or early spring when other forage is not available. Livestock are found down, unable to stand with their head weaving from side to side.
Toxic principle
Andromedotoxin, Grayanotoxins
Contact dermatitis
No
Toxicity summary
High severity poison; parts: Flowers; Leaves; Sap/Juice