Vine
Climbing Fetterbush
Pieris phillyreifolia
Varieties We Carry
StandardPieris phillyreifolia
Sizes & Pricing
1 galFrom$9.95
Fresh this week. Last restocked Mar 9.
LightPart Sun, Part Shade
WaterHigh
Mature size15-30 feet × 3-6 feet
About Climbing Fetterbush
Climbing Fetterbush (Pieris phillyreifolia) is an extremely rare native Florida vine in the heath family, notable for growing beneath the bark of pond cypress and black gum trees. It produces small, white urn-shaped flowers and has narrow, leathery evergreen leaves resembling those of its shrubby Pieris relatives. Starting at $9.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Fall, Winter, Spring
- Flower Color
- White
- Growth Rate
- Slow
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Acidic, Moist, Well-drained
Best planting months
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
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Seasonal care
Bloom season. Good planting window.
Active growing season.
Ideal planting window.
Bloom season. Retains foliage through winter.
Care essentials
Light
Climbing Fetterbush requires partial to full shade. In NE Florida, plant it beneath deciduous trees or on the north/east side of structures where it can receive filtered light and climb a host trunk or trellis.
Water
This native requires consistently moist, acidic soil — it naturally grows in swamps, moist pinelands, and stream edges. Water regularly and mulch well to retain moisture. It does not tolerate drought.
Soil & Fertilizer
Plant in moist, acidic, organic-rich soil (pH 4.5–6.0). Sandy soils should be amended with peat or composted organic matter. No supplemental fertilizer is typically needed if soil conditions are adequate.
Similar needs
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Dutchman's Pipe
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Pawpaw
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Banana
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Lobster Claw
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Mecardonia
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Common questions
Is Climbing Fetterbush a good plant for St. Augustine?
Climbing Fetterbush is a vine for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 15-30 feet × 3-6 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed February 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.