Lyonia lucida

Common Names

Fetterbush, Fetterbush Lyonia, Shining Fetterbush, Shiny Lyonia, Shinyleaf, Staggerbush

Summary

Lyonia lucida, commonly called fetterbush or shiny lyonia, is an evergreen shrub native to the southeastern United States and Cuba, typically 3–6 feet tall and wide with arching, suckering stems that form thickets. Leathery, glossy, evergreen leaves accompany fragrant urn-shaped flowers in late winter to early spring, usually pinkish-white to white, followed by woody capsules; distinctive features include three-angled branches and a preference for damp, acidic habitats such as bogs, swamps, wet woods, and pond margins. It favors moist, acidic soils and tolerates full sun to partial shade, with hardiness generally USDA zones 7–10. Common landscape uses include hedges, naturalized plantings, rain gardens, and borders along ponds or streams; propagation can be by seed, root cuttings, or root division, and maintenance is usually low with pruning after flowering. Caution notes include sap irritation if contact occurs, not salt-tolerant of inundation by salty water, and occasional susceptibility to leaf spot, with wildlife value through nectar for pollinators and year-round visual interest.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

36-60 inches

Spread

36-72 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 7-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full Sun, tolerates partial shade

Soil Type

Moist, acidic, organically rich, well-drained soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained, moist, acidic soil

Soil pH

Acidic soil; pH below 6.8

Bloom Color

White to pink, sometimes red

Bloom Time

Late winter to early spring

Foliage Color

Green, coppery when young and maturing to darker green

Fall Foliage Color

No fall foliage color; evergreen with leaves that stay green year-round.

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Slow-growing

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Root cuttings, Root division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, other pollinators, birds