Lyonia lucida aka Fetterbush Lyonia

Lyonia lucida, or fetterbush, is a shrub in the heath family. It keeps its leaves year-round. It is native to the southeastern United States and Cuba. It grows on the coastal plain from Virginia to Florida. Its range extends west to Louisiana. Wild plants live in wet woods, bogs, and swamps. They also grow by streams and in wet pine flatwoods. Some grow on drier, sandy sites.

Garden plants reach 3–6 feet [0.9–1.8 metres] tall and wide. In ideal conditions, height can reach 10–15 feet [3–4.6 metres]. Dense branches arch out and may sprawl across the ground. Root suckers and rhizomes, or underground stems, help form thickets. Dark brown bark splits into fine shreds. The brown twigs have scales and an angular shape. Thick, glossy green leaves grow in an alternate pattern. Each leaf has smooth edges and a pale midrib. A vein follows the edge, with a ridge beneath it.

Small flowers have a scent and hang in spring clusters. Sources place bloom between March and June. The urn-shaped flowers can be pink, white, or red. Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators visit the blooms. Brown, woody seed capsules follow the flowers. These oval fruits have five parts. They show in September and October. Both the flowers and fruits add interest to the garden. The leaves stay green and give wildlife shelter through winter.

Part shade suits fetterbush best, though it tolerates full sun. Give it acidic soil rich in organic matter. Keep the soil moist, with good drainage in garden beds. Wild plants cope with poor drainage and brief floods. Once established, plants can also cope with dry, sandy ground. It grows in USDA zones 7–9 at a moderate rate. Its dense growth suits hedges, screens, and shrub borders. It also fits rain gardens and pond edges. It suits wet sites where plants can grow and spread. Its spread can block paths through a planting.

Few serious pests or diseases trouble this shrub. Leaf spot can occur, and it needs moderate care. Fetterbush is highly poisonous and is not a food plant. Its toxins include grayanotoxins, and its flowers are poisonous. Eating it can cause stomach pain, vomiting, and weakness. Severe poisoning can cause convulsions, coma, or death. It poses risks to people, cats, dogs, and horses. Other livestock face risks too. Livestock face more risk of poisoning when other forage runs short.