How much sun does Rusty lyonia need?

Rusty lyonia grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Rusty lyonia bloom?

Rusty lyonia blooms in February, March, and April.

Where is Rusty lyonia native?

Rusty lyonia (Lyonia ferruginea) is native to FL, GA, SC, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Is Rusty lyonia toxic to dogs?

Yes. Rusty lyonia is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Rusty lyonia toxic to cats?

Yes. Rusty lyonia is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Rusty lyonia

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Lyonia ferruginea

Last reviewed: August 2026

Rusty lyonia is toxic to dogs and cats.

Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-08-15). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

120"–300" H × 96"–180" W

Bloom

Feb, Mar, Apr

Native to

FL, GA, SC

Pollinators

bees

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 445 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Rusty lyonia, also called staggerbush, is an evergreen shrub with gnarled, twisting branches, rust-colored leaf undersides, and clusters of small white to pink urn-shaped flowers. It grows in sandy scrub and pine flatwoods.

Wildlife value

Bees visit the urn-shaped flowers for nectar. The foliage contains compounds toxic to grazing animals, the source of the staggerbush name, so it is not a browse plant.

Common questions

How much sun does Rusty lyonia need?: Rusty lyonia grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Rusty lyonia bloom?: Rusty lyonia blooms in February, March, and April.
Where is Rusty lyonia native?: Rusty lyonia (Lyonia ferruginea) is native to FL, GA, SC, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Rusty lyonia toxic to dogs?: Yes. Rusty lyonia is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Rusty lyonia toxic to cats?: Yes. Rusty lyonia is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
What pollinators does Rusty lyonia attract?: Rusty lyonia draws bees.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Rusty lyonia and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.

Find pet-safe natives

iPhone app Android app

Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz