Drooping Leucothoe, Fetterbush, Dog Hobble 'Girard's Rainbow'
Leucothoe fontanesiana
Family: | Ericaceae (er-ek-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
Genus: | Leucothoe (loo-KOH-thoh-ee) (Info) |
Species: | fontanesiana (fon-tay-nee-zee-AH-na) (Info) |
Cultivar: | Girard's Rainbow |
Additional cultivar information: | (aka Rainbow) |

Category:
Shrubs
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Sun Exposure:
Light Shade
Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Good Fall Color
Textured
Veined
This plant is resistant to deer
Foliage Color:
Orange/Apricot
Height:
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing:
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
Where to Grow:
Danger:
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color:
White/Near White
Bloom Characteristics:
Flowers are good for cutting
Flowers are fragrant
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Mid Spring
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information:
Propagation Methods:
From herbaceous stem cuttings
From woody stem cuttings
From softwood cuttings
From semi-hardwood cuttings
From hardwood cuttings
Seed Collecting:
Regional
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
Oakland, California
Richmond, California
Stamford, Connecticut
Atlanta, Georgia
Gainesville, Georgia
Marietta, Georgia
Louisville, Kentucky
Zachary, Louisiana
Baltimore, Maryland
Centreville, Maryland
Piedmont, Missouri
Munsonville, New Hampshire
Haines Falls, New York
Ithaca, New York
Sayville, New York
Asheville, North Carolina
Davidson, North Carolina
Greensboro, North Carolina
Hayesville, North Carolina
Lake Toxaway, North Carolina
Statesville, North Carolina
Downingtown, Pennsylvania
Harmony, Pennsylvania
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Norristown, Pennsylvania
Hood, Virginia
Seattle, Washington
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
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Neutral | On Dec 6, 2013, sylvanj from Kiawah Island, SC wrote: I haven't grown it in my garden because I believe it's too hot in the low-country, but I enjoy seeing it wild in the piedmont region of sc. I thought I'd just answer the question of the last commenter - When dog hunting for black bears was popular in the Appalachians, bears used to easily run through Leucothoe, the dogs would get stuck in the ropey stems of the thickets and lose the bear - hence the name doghobble |
Neutral | On May 3, 2013, paani from Saint Louis, MO (Zone 6a) wrote: woodspirit1 asked why it's called Dog Hobble. Here is what the ASPCA has to say: |
Neutral | On Sep 25, 2012, woodspirit1 from Lake Toxaway, NC (Zone 7a) wrote: These are very attractive plants with leathery shiny leaves. They tend to be the undergrowth in the woods beneath larger plants like wild rhoderdendron or mountain laurel. I have cut branches for arrangements in the past. I am not sure why they are called dog hobble. If anyone knows, please d-mail me. |
Neutral | On Apr 11, 2006, diamondpatch from kettering northamptonshire, found a plant i liked in my local garden centre,Seasons at Burton Latimer in Northants. Just a plant label , but no growing or planting details and we couldn,t find it in our plant books either, but i am sure this is it. Will let you know how i get on with it this year, Diamondpatch |
Positive | On Oct 20, 2004, lmelling from Ithaca, NY (Zone 5b) wrote: I am delighted each spring with the pinks, creams, and variety of other shades this plant displays on it's foliage. The petite flowers just add to the list of reasons you should have this plant. Instead of using mine as a foundation plant, I have it presiding over the focal area of one of my backyard gardens. I keep it pruned to about a 2.5' - 3' height and width each spring after it flowers. It takes pruning very well and is quite a hardy little addition. Mine is in a location that gets morning and evening sun (zone 5), but is sheltered from the hot midday sun by pine trees. We have springs running throughout this garden so watering is only necessary during the dryest and hottest of summers, which isn't very often. Although moist, this garden is well drained, being on a slope. Othe... read more |
Neutral | On Oct 10, 2004, magnumta from Marietta, GA wrote: This plant is susceptable to black spot. A spraying of fungicide cures the problem. |