Shining Fetterbush (Lyonia lucida)

If you’ve never heard of fetterbush, you’re in for a treat. Fetterbush is an attractive evergreen shrub with shiny leaves and showy flowers. This native plant grows in the wild in bogs, bays, swamps, and wet woodlands. Keep reading for fetterbush information and tips on how to grow a fetterbush.

I. Appearance and Characteristics

Lyonia lucida is a species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae known by the common names fetterbush lyonia, hurrahbush, and staggerbush. Other plants may also be called fetterbush. This broadleaved evergreen plant grows on the coastal plain of the southeastern United States from Virginia to Florida to Louisiana. It also occurs in Cuba.

This shrub can grow to 4 to 5 meters in height and just as wide. The plant has long rhizomes that can sprout up new plants, forming a colony. The leathery leaves are alternately arranged on scaly twigs. They are up to 10.5 centimeters long by 5.5 wide and are oval in shape. The inflorescence is a fascicle of cylindrical flowers which are usually pink but may be white or red. The fruit is a capsule. The plant mostly reproduces vegetatively, but it also reproduces by seed. In soils poor in nutrients it does not flower and reproduces only by sprouting from the rhizome.

Fetterbush leaves are toxic to both humans and animals. That’s why it should never be planted where livestock graze. If you start growing fetterbush, you’ll need to know that nectar from flowers is also toxic if ingested. Eating leaves or nectar can cause very unpleasant symptoms. These include salivation, nausea, vomiting, sweating, abdominal pain, headache, lack of coordination, convulsions, and paralysis.

Shining Fetterbush (Lyonia lucida)
Lyonia lucida (2969177007) Homer Edward Price CC BY 2.0

This plant is a common species, growing in shrubby bogs, wet savannas, conifer swamps, and scrub. There are large populations in saw palmetto prairie habitat. It is common in the Okefenokee Swamp. It grows in dry habitat but it is usually found in wet places, including habitat that is periodically flooded. It prefers acidic, saturated soils rich in organic matter, such as those in cypress swamps. It may grow in shady understories but it does well in full sun.

Overstory species in the habitat may include Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides), sweet bay (Magnolia virginiana), red bay (Persea borbonia), loblolly bay (Gordonia lasianthus), tupelo (Nyssa spp.) and pines (Pinus spp.). It shares the understory with other plants such as sweetbells (Eubotrys racemosa), highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), sweet pepperbush (Clethera alnifolia), titi (Cyrilla racemiflora), laurelleaf greenbrier (Smilax laurifolia), honeycup (Zenobia pulverulenta), and oaks (Quercus spp.).

II. How to Grow and Care

Sunlight

Shining Fetterbush (Lyonia lucida)
Fetterbush (Lyonia lucida) (6523266951) Bob Peterson from North Palm Beach, Florida, Planet Earth! CC BY-SA 2.0

These plants can be grown in full sun, although they prefer full to partial shade or dappled light.

Watering

Adapted to the periodic moisture fluctuations of its native environment, fetterbush lyonia thrives with moderate hydration. This species is known for its resilience and can tolerate short dry spells, maintaining a balance between moisture retention and drought resistance. Its watering schedule should be once every 1-2 weeks, aligning with its natural water habits. Typically grown outdoors due to its adaptability, fetterbush lyonia flourishes when seasonal rainfall patterns are mimicked in cultivation, ensuring that it receives adequate water during its active growth cycles without succumbing to overwatering.

Soil

In the wild, this shrub thrives in bogs and swamps and tolerates soils that are periodically flooded and poorly drained. Still, when planted in homes, it appears to prefer acidic, moist soil with a pH below 6.8 and can be grown in poorly drained peaty soils with large amounts of organic material.

Shining Fetterbush (Lyonia lucida)
Shining Lyonia (Lyonia lucida) mmmavocado CC BY 2.0

Fertilizing

For fetterbush lyonia, apply balanced nutrition fertilizers to encourage robust growth and vibrant blooms. Optimal fertilizing frequency is bi-monthly during growth periods in spring and summer; use sparingly in winter. Measure 1/4 strength of recommended dose, ensuring even distribution near the root zone without direct contact with the plant’s base. Seasonal adjustments are critical; less frequent application is necessary in fall and winter. Always water fetterbush lyonia before and after fertilizing to prevent root burn and aid nutrient absorption. A gentle approach to nourishment sustains fetterbush lyonia’s delicate ecosystem.

Pruning

Prune your fetterbush to encourage new growth and blooming, ideally in late spring or early summer. Focus on removing dead, diseased, or crossing branches to maintain air circulation and shape. Aim for light, thinning cuts on healthy stems to encourage bushier growth and vibrant blooms.

Transplanting

Shining Fetterbush (Lyonia lucida)
Lyonia lucida (5625833222) Homer Edward Price CC BY 2.0

Ideally, plan to transplant fetterbush lyonia during late winter to early spring (S3-S5), as it secures the robustness before the stressful hot summer. The new home for your fetterbush lyonia should be an area with partial to full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Remember, the secret to successful transplanting is ample preparation of the new spot and post-care.

Pests and Diseases

These shrubs are relatively disease-resistant but may be susceptible to plant problems such as leaf spot. If this is the case, focus on keeping the plant’s foliage dry, removing affected leaves and branches, and perhaps introducing a general-purpose fertilizer to improve the plant’s health before looking at more drastic measures like fungicides.

III. Uses and Benefits

Shining Fetterbush (Lyonia lucida)
Lyonia-lucida homeredwardprice CC BY 2.0

This plant’s suckering habits make it a good choice for shrub borders when planted in suitable conditions. Otherwise, this showy species is ideal for naturalized native gardens, especially in seasonally flooded areas where other plants cannot thrive.

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