Chamaedaphne calyculata – Leatherleaf – 3-Quart

A low-growing evergreen shrub for massing in the bog garden or at pond side. The leaves are glossy green above and rusty below. They have the interesting habit of getting progressively smaller along the length of each twig. The flowers are overturned urns reminiscent of blueberry flowers – not surprising – both plants are members of the Heath family, those lovers of acidic soils. Leatherleaf does not produce a tasty berry, though, only a woody seed capsule. Still, it does have some wildlife value – it’s one of the favorite host plants of the brown elfin butterfly.