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Form/habitat

Ericaceae

In East Texas and Louisiana the acid prairies and sandy pine woods, bogs and wet creek bottoms provide habitat for stagger bush which also ranges into Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Florida, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and South Eastern New York, in peaty or sandy moist soils. Introduced into cultivation in 1736, it provides an attractive, low understory plant when planted in groups, doing especially well in wet, shady spots. It is a slender plant with ascending branches which are often bare below. Twigs, branches and the lower leaf surface are black dotted. In late spring or early summer this rhododendron relative produces showy racemes of delicate, nodding, white to pink blossoms which are nearly as attractive unopened, with a calyx tinted red. Fall coloration transforms the leathery leaves to reddish tints. Its foliage is believed to be poisonous to young grazing animals.

Plant Habit or Use: small shrub
medium shrub

Exposure: partial sun
shade

Flower Color: white, pink

Blooming Period: spring
summer

Fruit Characteristics: capsule

Height: 3 to 6 feet

Width: 2 to 4 feet

Plant Character: deciduous

Heat Tolerance: high

Water Requirements:

Soil Requirements: acid

USDA Hardiness Zone: 5

Additional Comments: