Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Leatherleaf is a fantastic North American native shrub that blooms early in the spring to provide nectar for early native pollinators. This member of the heather family has rounded evergreen leaves and masses of white bell-shaped flowers for many weeks during April and May. Chamaedaphne calyculata has a full four seasons of interest, including foliage that turns a purplish bronze during winter.
This naturally mounding shrub rarely needs pruning or deadheading, making it low maintenance and suitable for small spaces. Leatherleaf tolerates short periods of flooding and is a great plant for the boggy zones of a rain garden. It also grows well in average garden beds as long as it receives sufficient moisture while it establishes. Use leatherleaf near foundations, in a mixed sunny shrub border, or in a low-growing hedge for informal garden areas.
Leatherleaf Care
Plant leatherleaf in rich, moist soil that has a pH of 6.5 or lower. Locations with full sun or part shade will encourage vigorous growth. Water leatherleaf well at planting and until it is fully established. Using an annual application of compact or finely shredded arborist chips will help the soil retain moisture while also suppressing weeds. Supplemental fertilizing is rarely necessary and should only be done lightly once a year in the spring if plant vigor declines. Use a slow-release formula for acid-loving plants.
Light pruning can be done in late spring after flowering has ended. Cut back any branches that were damaged over the winter or are showing signs of disease. Deadheading is not needed and will prevent the brownish seed pods from forming.
Leatherleaf Spacing
The mature height and width of leatherleaf is anywhere from 1-3 feet. Allow plenty of room for this shrub to spread out when planting with other shrubs and perennials. Space plants 2-3 feet apart in a garden bed. Leatherleaf is a smaller-sized shrub that lends itself to container growing and will happily grow in a pot for years. Choose a container with adequate drainage in the bottom and with a diameter of at least 12 inches.
Leatherleaf Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 3 to 7 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Shade to Full Sun (3+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 1-3 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 1-3 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Spreading
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , White
- Flower Description
- White
- Bloom Time
- Spring
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green Leatherleaf
- Foliage Type
- , Evergreen
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Leatherleaf
- Also Known As
- Leatherleaf
- Botanical Name
- Chamaedaphne calyculata
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
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