Ring the Bells of Your Garden with Leucothoe Axillaris Coastal Dog-Hobble



Posted: Tuesday, October 06, 2009

by Dennis Sons
tn nursery

Every garden needs that one special plant that you won't find in any other garden. And if you're searching for just such a plant-one that will sway in the wind and remind you more of a song than of a flower-look no further than the Leucothoe Axillaris Coastal Dog-Hobble.

This beautiful shrub, with blossoms most often white in color, features flowers that shaped and hang just like Christmas bells. These unassuming little blossoms sway in the wind and are a perfect reminder of cartoons and movies from the days of black and white, where everything in nature was perfect and perfect was the definition of everything in nature.

Native to North Carolina and especially prevalent along the coast of this state, the Leucothoe Axillaris Coastal Dog-Hobble shrub can grow as small as two feet high or as tall as six feet high. It's spread will be much wider than its height averaging between six and ten feet wide. This shrub is also native to parts of the coast of Georgia and can be found frequently throughout Florida. One of the most beautiful features of this plant, other than its tiny bell shaped flowers is the fact that its dark green leaves turn an almost deep shade of purple (with some green left over) during the winter months, giving Fall colors a run for their money.

If you are planning to grow Leucothoe Axillaris Coastal Dog-Hobble, it is important to remember that the best growing zones for this plant are Zones 7, 8 and 9 and it is best used as ground cover or a border around your garden, possibly even as a backdrop to a perfectly primed and trimmed perennial garden. It can also be used in mass planting to cover a lot of space very quickly.

The Leucothoe Axillaris Coastal Dog-Hobble isn't a picky one when it comes to soil and it will grow happily in any type of moist soil including acidic soils, sand soils, loam and even clay, in addition to traditional garden soils, as long as they are kept moist. The only type of soils that may pose a problem to this beautiful bell plant are incredibly dry soils-such as found in places that experience frequent drought-and soils with a high salt content. In addition, this plant enjoys the shade and will grow better and quicker out of the sun.

Proper care is necessary for the Leucothoe Axillaris Coastal Dog-Hobble. It should be initially planted at minimum 36 to 60 inches apart when multiple plants are used. In addition, it is susceptible to eight different species of fungi. Additionally, it is important to note that while this plant enjoys moist soils; its roots may rot in soils that are too wet.

Remember, every plant needs to be properly taken care of. Grown in the right conditions, Leucothoe Axillaris Coastal Dog-Hobble will create beautiful music in your garden that you won't get any other way.

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