About
Rainbow' is an evergreen shrub to 1.5m tall, with slender arching reddish branches bearing glossy, lance-shaped leaves to 10cm long, mottled with cream and pink, and short racemes of small cream flowers below the branches in spring.
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, Sand
Soil pHAcid
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist, acid soil in shade or partial shade
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by seed and semi-hardwood cuttings
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