Lyonia ligustrina

Common Names

Maleberry, He-Huckleberry

Summary

Lyonia ligustrina, commonly called Maleberry or He-huckleberry, is a native eastern United States deciduous shrub, it typically reaches 6 to 12 ft tall and 12 to 20 ft wide, with erect stems and spreading ultimate branchlets, leaves are elliptic to obovate and glossy green, often turning orange-red in fall, flowers are white urn-shaped, arranged in racemes or panicles on the previous year's growth, followed by brown, berry-like capsules that persist through winter, in cultivation, it grows best in wet, acidic soils with partial sun to shade, tolerating clay, loam, and sandy soils, and suits shrub borders, hedges, woodland edges, rain gardens, or water gardens, it is hardy in zones 6a to 7b, can be propagated by seed or cuttings, flowers in spring to early summer, and serves as a nectar source for pollinators and honey bees, caution is warranted as the plant is poisonous to humans if ingested, with livestock poisoning concerns in late winter or early spring.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

6-12 feet

Spread

72-144 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 6a-8b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun, Partial Sun, or Partial Shade

Soil Type

Moist, acidic organic soils, especially peat soils.

Soil Drainage

Moist to wet, poorly drained soils

Soil pH

Acidic to slightly acidic soil

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Spring and Summer

Foliage Color

Green, dark on the upper surface with paler undersides, turning orange-red in fall and persisting through winter.

Fall Foliage Color

Orange-red

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Medium

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, Attracts birds