Chamaedaphne calyculata

Common Names

Leatherleaf, Cassandra, Leather-Leaf, Dwarf Cassandra, Leather Leaf

Summary

Leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata) is an evergreen shrub in the Ericaceae, typically 0.2–1.5 m tall with a much-branched habit and arching stems that form dense thickets, leaves are dull olive green above with yellowish scales beneath and are leathery; it bears urn-shaped white flowers in pendant racemes during spring (April–July). Native to boreal wetlands, it has a circumboreal distribution across North America, Europe, and Asia, and commonly occupies bogs, peatlands, and wetland margins, often spreading by rhizomes to create dense mats. For cultivation, Leatherleaf prefers moist, acidic soils and wet conditions, tolerating full sun to partial shade and boggy sites such as bog gardens, pond margins, and wet woodland margins. It can be propagated by seeds or by layering, suckers, and cuttings, making it a versatile addition to damp landscape settings.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

1-3 feet

Spread

1-3 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-7

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun, tolerates Partial Sun or Partial Shade

Soil Type

Moist, acidic peat soil

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained soil

Soil pH

5.0-6.8, Acidic soil, tolerates very acidic soils

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green (ranging from dull olive green to dark green; undersides rusty).

Fall Foliage Color

No fall foliage color

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

1 foot per decade

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees and birds