Florida Leucothoe (Agarista populifolia)

Quick Guide to Growing Florida Leucothoe

USDA Hardiness Zones: 7a – 9b
Best Soil: Moist, acidic soil, amended with organic matter
Sunlight: Morning sun and afternoon shade
Watering: When planted in full sun, supplemental watering may be necessary to avoid drought stress.
Care Tips: To maintain a handsome open habit, periodically remove a few of the oldest stems at the base of the crown.

Florida leucothoe (Agarista populifolia), also known as Florida hobblebush or doghobble, is an attractive, evergreen shrub, native from southeastern North Carolina south to Florida and west to Mobile, Alabama (USDA Cold Hardiness zones 7a to 9b). This large, multi-stemmed shrub has arching branches that bear clusters of fragrant, white flowers along the undersides of its branches.

Size and Growth Habit of Florida Leucothoe

Expect a mature height of 8 to 12 feet and a width of 5 to 6 feet, although it may grow higher than 15 feet over time. Florida leucothoe may also grow wider over time with the emergence of suckers or vigorous shoots that emerge from laterally growing roots some distance away from the crown or base of the original plant.

Ornamental Features and Bark Interest

Florida leucothoe possesses a fountainlike habit with gracefully arching stems. The new reddish-bronze growth turns light green and matures to a glossy dark green. The soft, lance-shaped leaves are alternately arranged on the branches.  Mature specimens develop attractive exfoliating or peeling strands of reddish-brown bark that expose a light brown interior.

In South Carolina, fragrant, creamy-white, bell-shaped flowers open from May to June, suspended on the undersides of last year’s branches. The flowers mature into capsules that ripen to brown before shedding their seeds.

In the wild, Florida leucothoe colonizes moist to wet areas in forests, along streambanks, and hummocks in swamps, and even tolerates seasonal flooding. In the landscape, use Florida leucothoe as an accent plant or evergreen screen. Use it as a replacement for the invasive heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica).

For Moist Shade Gardens

Florida leucothoe prefers a moist, shaded to partially shaded location and acidic soil amended with organic matter. Morning sun and afternoon shade are ideal. When planted in full sun, supplemental watering may be necessary to avoid drought stress.

Stream Bank Restoration

The spreading, suckering nature of Florida leucothoe makes it useful for stream bank restoration. However, to curb its outward spread, periodically remove the wayward suckers at the soil level. To encourage the production of young, flower-bearing shoots and to maintain a handsome, open habit, periodically remove a few of the oldest stems at the base of the crown. Refer to HGIC 1053, Pruning Shrubs, for information about rejuvenation pruning.

Pests, Problems, and Toxicity

Florida leucothoe has no serious insect pest or disease problems and is deer resistant. Warning: Leaves may be fatal when ingested because they contain andromedotoxin, a volatile resin that deters feeding by herbivores.

Florida Leucothoe Cultivar: ‘Taylor’s Treasure’

‘Taylor’s Treasure’ (Leprechaun™): This cultivar has a dense, compact growth habit, grows 3 to 5 feet high and 2 to 3 feet wide, and its leaves are smaller and narrower than the species. New leaves are glossy, reddish-bronze with wavy or undulating margins. As the foliage matures, the leaves become nearly flat. Taylor’s Treasure originated as an open-pollinated seedling in Semmes, Ala.

For more information, see HGIC 1716, Plants for Shade and HGIC 1718, Plants for Damp or Wet Areas.

References

1. Dirr MA. 2011. Dirr’s Encyclopedia of Trees & Shrubs. Timber Press, Portland, Ore.
2. Dirr MA. 2009. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants. 6th ed. Stipes Pub., Champaign, Ill.
3. North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Agarista populifolia. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/agarista-populifolia/. [accessed 24 May 2025].
4. Mellichamp L. 2014. Native plants of the Southeast. Timber Press, Portland, Ore.

Document last revised on 6/25  by Robert F. Polomski

Originally published 01/20