Lakeshore Garden Centres Plant Finder

Other Names:  Doghobble, Dog Hobble

Group/Class:  Leafscape Series

Description:

Pretty clusters of fragrant white flowers in spring compliment the interesting olive green, shiny foliage; in cool autumn weather, the leaves turn fire engine red and persist this way through winter; naturally compact and bushy; best in part-shade

Ornamental Features

Leafscape™ Little Flames Fetterbush is clothed in stunning racemes of fragrant white bell-shaped flowers along the branches from mid to late spring. It has attractive olive green evergreen foliage. The glossy narrow leaves are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding crimson in the fall, which persists throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Leafscape™ Little Flames Fetterbush is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a shapely oval form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Disease

Leafscape™ Little Flames Fetterbush is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover
• Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Leafscape™ Little Flames Fetterbush will grow to be about 20 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 12 inches apart. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years.

This shrub does best in partial shade to shade. It is quite adaptable, prefering to grow in average to wet conditions, and will even tolerate some standing water. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for rich, acidic soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. This is a selection of a native North American species.

Leafscape™ Little Flames Fetterbush makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. It can be used either as 'filler' or as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, depending on the height and form of the other plants used in the container planting. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden. Be aware that in our climate, most plants cannot be expected to survive the winter if left in containers outdoors, and this plant is no exception. Contact our experts for more information on how to protect it over the winter months.

This plant is not reliably hardy in our region, and certain restrictions may apply; contact the store for more information.