wetland wildflower
Marsh elder
Iva frutescens
Also known as Jesuit's Bark, High-tide Bush, High-water Shrub, Bigleaf Marsh Elder
1 of 2Native to the Southeast and the Northeast
Coastal areas from New Jersey to Florida and southeastern Texas
- Light Full sun Sun tolerance
- Moisture Wet Moisture preference
- Zones 5–10 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Jul–Sep Flowering time
- Height up to 12 ft to 3.7 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A wetland wildflower for full sun and wet soil. Its white flowers peak in August. At up to 12 ft, it needs room in rain gardens, pond edges, and damp low spots. Hardy in USDA zones 5–10.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Marsh elder's white flowers bloom July to September, peaking in August. This late-summer display draws bees and beetles.
Marsh elder blooms whiteFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Common Eastern Bumble Bee also Western Honey Bee
- Beetles Variegated Lady Beetle
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WetlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- The Southeast and the NortheastUnited States (12): AL, DE, FL, GA, LA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, SC, TX, VA. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Coastal areas from New Jersey to Florida and southeastern TexasThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sunHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- WetThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5–10 · Canadian 6–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Moist to wet, saline soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil pH
- 5.0–5.7The acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
- Soil quality
- LowHow rich a soil it needs. Many natives prefer lean soil and flop in rich beds.
- Water use
- HighHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
- Salinity tolerance
- HighHow well it copes with salty soil, near roads or the coast.
- Lime (CaCO₃) tolerance
- MediumHow well it copes with chalky, lime-rich soil.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 12 ft (to 3.7 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
- Growth rate
- ModerateA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
- Shape
- VaseIts overall silhouette.
- Root depth
- 16+ in (41+ cm)How far the roots reach, a guide to drought resilience and transplanting.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Jul–SepWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- WhiteThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens Aug–NovThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.
Propagation & seed
- Cold stratification
- Not requiredWhether seed needs a cold, moist spell before it will germinate.
- Propagation
- Bare root, container, seedHow to start new plants.
- Seed
- ~0.8 million seeds per poundNotes on the seed and how to sow it.
- Seed spread rate
- ModerateHow readily it self-sows. Slow or none means well-behaved, not a spreader.
- Seedling vigor
- LowHow strongly young seedlings establish.
- Vegetative spread
- NoneWhether it creeps outward or stays put in a clump.