Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
For excellent year-round foliage color, the Scarletta Drooping Laurel stands above the rest. Also called Leucothoe axillaris 'Scarletta', this low-growing, evergreen shrub produces bright scarlet foliage in the spring that turns green before changing to burgundy in the fall. If that was not enough, it also develops scented white flowers in late spring.
A low-growing shrub, the Scarletta Drooping Laurel reaches no more than 2 to 3 feet tall. More compact than others, it forms a pleasing mounded shape and is hardy in zones 5 to 8. It is a perfect shrub for adding to a mixed border as it provides both color, interest and structure. Scarletta Drooping Laurel is native to parts of the Southeastern United States.
Scarletta Drooping Laurel Care
The Scarletta Drooping Laurel thrives when it is grown in partial shade. It prefers an acidic soil that is moist and well drained. The Scarletta Drooping Laurel is not drought tolerant and requires frequent irrigation during the growing season. A granular all-purpose fertilizer applied in early spring will help encourage new growth and excellent color.
The Scarletta Drooping Laurel should only be pruned immediately after flowering. Simply prune out any dead or damaged branches and trim lightly to shape if desired.
Scarletta Drooping Laurel Spacing
When mature, the Scarletta Drooping Laurel grows to around 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. Plant at a spacing of around 3 feet or slightly closer to create a continuous planting.
Scarletta Drooping Laurel Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 5 to 8 (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
- 2-3 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 2-3 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Clumping, Mounded, Upright
- Water Needs
- Average
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, Orange
- Foliage Description
- Burgundy red to purplish red
- Foliage Type
- , Evergreen, Variegated
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Scarletta Drooping Laurel
- Also Known As
- Coastal Doghobble, Doghobble, Fetterbush
- Botanical Name
- Leucothoe axillaris 'Scarletta'
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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