coastal sweet-pepperbush

Plant Type

Shrub (less than 10 ft)

Life Cycle

Perennial

Typical Size

5-10 ft. tall
4-6 ft. wide

Tolerant of

Occasional Flooding

Inolerant of

Dry Soil

Propagation

By cutting

Plant Propagation Notes

three to 4″ stem cuttings in early spring from softwood

Plants/Diseases

During dry periods, may experience spider mite infestations. Late season rainfall may result in Pseudocercospora leaf spot.

Wildlife Benefits

Nectar/pollen source for pollinating insects, Fruit/seeds for birds

Leaves

Leaves alternate, obovate to oblong, 5-9 x 2-4 cm. Margins toothed. Leaf surface sparsely hairy lower leaf surface, hairy upper leaf surface

Flowers

White, sometimes with a slight pink hue arranged in a single or cluster of spikes.

Bark

stems terete; scaly, dark gray to brown black bark. Young shoots finely pubescent.

Toxicity

No known toxicity.

USDA Hardiness Zones

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Light Exposure

Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade, Full Shade

Soil Moisture

Medium, Moist

Soil Drainage

Well-drained, Poorly Drained

Soil pH

Acidic (less than 6.0)

Native in South Carolina?

Yes

Plant Native Habitat

Broad-leaved swamps, Chamaecyparis swamps, wet pine forests, sometimes in dry, sandy woods and rocky, acidic ridge tops

Global Conservation Status (NatureServe)

Secure (G5)

Federal Conservation Status (USFWS)

Not Listed

Distribution Notes

Common in the SC Coastal Plain and Absent from the Piedmont and Mountains