Characteristics
| Hardiness zone | 8b |
|---|---|
| Foliage type | Semi-evergreen |
| Plant form | round |
| Mature height | 8-30 feet |
| Spread | 10-15 feet |
| Light requirements | full sun to shade |
| Moisture requirements | moist to wet |
| Plant origin | Texas Native |
Leatherwood
Botanical name: Cyrilla racemiflora
Slender tree with smooth cinnamon-colored trunks, abundant clusters of airy, white blooms and dark green leaves. It is semi-evergreen, puts on a fall show of red foliage. Native just east of Harris County.
Other Common Names: Swamp Cyrilla, Swamp Titi, and American Cyrilla
Ornamental Features
Leatherwood Slender tree with smooth cinnamon-colored trunks and dark green leaves. Produces drooping sprays of airy white fragrant blooms from late spring into summer (May, June, July), blooms are only produced from last year's stalks growth.
Landscape Attributes
Leatherwood is semi-evergreen, puts on a fall show of orange-red foliage. A great specimen tree for native and pollinator gardens. Can form thickets that wildlife will appreciate, especially local birds! Native just east of Harris County.
This native tree is loved by various butterflies and bees. Bees produce a dark colored honey from this tree. The small fruit is enjoyed by small mammals and songbirds.
Leatherwood is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Butterfly Garden, Rain Garden, Winter Garden, and Woodland Gardens
Planting and Growing
Leatherwood will grow to be about 8-30 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 10-15 feet. Although it looks shrubby in appearance it can be trained into a small tree.
This tree prefers a moist to wet well-drained and sandy loam soil conditions. Plant in an area that receives full sun to partial shade, if planted in more sun, it will have higher water needs. A great option for planting along streams, bogs, and ditches to help prevent flooding.
