eastern leatherwood
Dirca palustris
USDA zones3 to 8
SunHandles partial sun to full shade
WaterHandles dry to wet soil
Size4 to 6 feet tall4 to 6 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- Yellow
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, clay
- Soil pH
- Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Eastern leatherwood (Dirca palustris) is a shrub for shade gardens, woodland gardens, and rain gardens, and it needs little care. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes part sun to full shade and dry to wet, sandy or clay soil. Narrow, yellow, bell-shaped flowers hang in clusters and last a long time. Leaves turn a clear yellow in fall. Broken wood can cause severe dermatitis, so wear gloves when you prune it.
Pairs well with Mini Skirt hosta, Northern bayberry, Red maple, and Canada wild rye.
Native range
AL, AR, CT, DC, and 31 more places. See all 35
AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV; NB, NS, and ON.