#663 Agarista populifolia Common Names: pipestem, Florida hobblebush, Florida leucothoe, fetter-bush Family: Ericaceae (heath Family) Get link to this Profile or click for data record #663

Pipestem (also called Florida leucothoe) makes fine hedges and screens. This fast growing evergreen shrub is the perfect choice for woodland gardens and other shady areas.

Location
Agarista populifolia is a common shrub in the understory of mixed swamps and along creeks and especially spring runs on the coastal plain from SE South Carolina to northern peninsular Florida.

Culture
Pipestem likes an acidic, moist soil in a shady or partly shady location.
Light: Pipestem performs well in full shade to partial shade. It also tolerates sunny locations.
Moisture: Regular water. Pipestem does well in moist soils or dry soils with regular watering. Pipestem is surprisingly tolerant of dry conditions and droughts.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 7 - 9. Pipestem occurs naturally only in USDA hardiness zone 8, but it is cultivated in zones 7-9, and probably will survive in zone 6 as well.
Propagation: Cuttings of semi-ripe tip shoots taken in summer or fall are easy to root.

The flowers of pipestem resemble those of the blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) and have a light honeylike fragrance.

Features
Pipestem is just beginning to be appreciated by the horticultural community, and has only recently become available from native plant nurseries in Georgia and Florida. It's small natural distribution no doubt has contributed to its relative obscurity. The creamy white fragrant flowers in springtime and the glossy evergreen foliage make this an especially attractive shrub for shady situations. Up until 1979, pipestem was classified in the genus, Leucothoe. The common name recalls the chambered, partly hollow, stems and twigs.

sc 4/15/00; updated 6/9/01

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