About
This evergreen, small, clump-forming shrub with undivided, ovate to ovate-elliptical, slender pointed leaves, 5-10 cm long which are deep red or purplish in the autumn, winter and spring, green in the summer. Cylindrical, white flowers in nodding clusters appear in the summer.
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 sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, West-facing, South-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesMixed borders, hedging, foundation planting.
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist, acid soil in sun or partial shade
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by 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