Leatherwood is an attractive woodland shrub that is underutilized in the shade garden. The flowers bloom early in the spring, attracting a variety of native bees and early butterflies (illinoiswildflower.info). It is the host plant to 3 species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org). The foliage and bark are known to be toxic to humans, and mammalian herbivores, thus, it is normally avoided as a source of food (illinoiswildflower.info). There seems to be some mixed observations of birds eating the berries.
Photo credit: Doug McGrady
Leatherwood is an attractive woodland shrub that is underutilized in the shade garden. The flowers bloom early in the spring, attracting a variety of native bees and early butterflies (illinoiswildflower.info). It is the host plant to 3 species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org). The foliage and bark are known to be toxic to humans, and mammalian herbivores, thus, it is normally avoided as a source of food (illinoiswildflower.info). There seems to be some mixed observations of birds eating the berries.
Photo credit: Doug McGrady
Life Cycle: Perennial
Sun Exposure: Partial shade-Shade
Soil Moisture: Medium/wet – Medium/dry
Height: 3-7 feet
Plant Spacing: 4-6 feet
Bloom Time: April-May
Bloom Color: Yellow
Advantages: Pollinator Favorite, Deer Resistant, Great Landscaping plant
Host Plant: 3 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host plant in our area (nwf.org)
