Description
Agarista
This genus of about 20 species of evergreen shrubs native to wet mountain regions of Central and south America and the Indian Ocean Islands of Mauritus and another from Southeast USA. It bears leathery leaves and small urn shaped flowers in drooping often branched spikes varying in color from greenish white to pink or red.
These frost tender plants require a very sheltered spot with a humid environment and organic rich soil. The North American species is moderately frost hardy and has less specialized requirements.
Agarista – Leucothoe populifolia – Found in the wild in the mountains of Southeastern USA. This fairly hardy shrub grows 15’ feet tall, usually less in cultivation. The long arching canes, like branches, are hollow in the center. The bright green leaves are 3-5” long strongly veined and are finely toothed. In late spring it bears small white flowers with honey like scent are crowded on numerous short spikes pendent from leaf axils flowers are best viewed from underneath.
Zones 7-10
