About

A bushy evergreen shrub, to around 1.5m high, with oval-shaped, glossy intense green leaves edged with yellow-green. New leaves are flushed red, turn dark burgundy as temperatures drop in autumn.

About the genus

Leucothoe can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs with simple, leathery leaves and racemes or panicles of small bell- or urn-shaped flowers

Growing conditions

SunlightFull shade, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants

Care notes

CultivationGrow in reliably moist, acid soil in partial or full shade
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility