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Eubotrys racemosa (Fetter bush)
1 hour care
per year
per year
2.5m
Max height
Max height
1.2m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Eubotrys racemosa
Other names
Fetter bush, Pepper bush, Sweet bells, Leucothoe racemosa, Swamp doghobble, Sweetbells leucothoe, Fetterbush, Swamp sweetbells
Genus
Eubotrys Eubotrys
Species
E. racemosa - E. racemosa is an upright, suckering, deciduous shrub with glossy, oblong to elliptic, toothed, mid-green leaves turning yellow, orange, and red in autumn. Racemes of fragrant, bell-shaped, white flowers in late spring and early summer are followed by light brown fruit capsules.
Eubotrys racemosa is: Deciduous
Habit
Suckering, Upright
Flower
White in Spring; White in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Red, Orange, Yellow in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free.
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1
Propagation
Sow seed in a cold frame in spring.
Propagation methods
Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Eubotrys racemosa (Fetter bush) will reach a height of 2.5m and a spread of 1.2m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Coastal, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Waterside, Woodland
Cultivation
Best grown in moist, acid soil in partial shade. Can be grown in full sun if soil remains consistently moist. Will not tolerate drought or strong winds. Protect with a thick, dry winter mulch in the coldest areas of its range. Produces suckers to form colonies.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid
Light
Partial Shade
Aspect
North, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Eubotrys racemosa
Other names
Fetter bush, Pepper bush, Sweet bells, Leucothoe racemosa, Swamp doghobble, Sweetbells leucothoe, Fetterbush, Swamp sweetbells
Genus
Eubotrys Eubotrys
Species
E. racemosa - E. racemosa is an upright, suckering, deciduous shrub with glossy, oblong to elliptic, toothed, mid-green leaves turning yellow, orange, and red in autumn. Racemes of fragrant, bell-shaped, white flowers in late spring and early summer are followed by light brown fruit capsules.
Native to
Eastern United States
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Suckering, Upright
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Colour
Flower
White in Spring; White in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Red, Orange, Yellow in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free.
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1
Propagation
Sow seed in a cold frame in spring.
Propagation methods
Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Eubotrys racemosa (Fetter bush) will reach a height of 2.5m and a spread of 1.2m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Coastal, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Waterside, Woodland
Cultivation
Best grown in moist, acid soil in partial shade. Can be grown in full sun if soil remains consistently moist. Will not tolerate drought or strong winds. Protect with a thick, dry winter mulch in the coldest areas of its range. Produces suckers to form colonies.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid
Light
Partial Shade
Aspect
North, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Clay, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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