Photo of Leucothoe davisiae flower bud by Evan Bean

Photo by Evan Bean

Used with permission, all rights reserved

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Leucothoe davisiae

Also Known As

  • Sierra Laurel

Plant type

shrub

size

  • H: 1'-3'
  • W: 3'-9'

planting zones

  • 5a-8b

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Leucothoe davisiae plant details

Leucothoe davisiae is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with green foliage. In spring white flowers emerge. Features glossy texture. Grows well with mostly shade and even moisture water. Does well in rich and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Leucothoe davisiae

Plant type: shrub
Plant family: ericaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 3 FT - 9 FT - wide, 1 FT - 3 FT - tall
Flowers: white blooms in spring
Uses: compact, woodland garden, year-round-interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Leucothoe davisiae

USDA Zones: 5a - 8b
Sun exposure: mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture
Soil needs: rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

The sierra laurel is a tough 12” ground cover. The deep green foliage is heavily veined. So makes a pretty loose growing shrubby ground cover. Have seen L. davisiae in fairly dry, well drained soil. Our plants grow under Tsuga mertensiana with Cyclamen coum growing with the Leucothoe.
Low mounding evergreen shrubs with stiff upright branches arising from slowly spreading underground runners. Forms an attractive two to three foot high groundcover in moist and sunny situations but quite adaptable in cultivation and an excellent underplanting for large rhododendrons. The lustrous dark glossy green leaves are ovate-oblong and toothed. The small pitcher-shaped white flowers (late spring to early summer) are borne in dense terminal upright racemes. Native to the Sierra Nevada of California and neighboring areas of Oregon from 3,000 to 8,000 ft.
Northern Sierra Nevada in California and the Siskiyou mountains in SW Oregon. A neat evergreen plant from 1-3' tall with leaves like small salal and flower clusters of small white goblets raised above the foliage. According to Bean (1970) it is one of the best in the genus for the garden.

By: The Bovees Nursery

Gardening facts about Leucothoe davisiae plant

How to Grow Leucothoe davisiae

  • Sun Exposure

    • mostly shade
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture
  • Soil Needs

    • well-drained
    • rich

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Season

    • spring
  • Flower Color

    • white
  • Texture

    • glossy
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
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