About
Evergreen, spreading shrub reaching 1-1.2m tall with arching branches and slender leaves, dark red when young, maturing to glossy dark green with bright red edges, turning bronze to burgundy-red in winter. Small, white pitcher-shaped flowers are borne along the stems in late 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
Soil pHAcid
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
AspectEast-facing, West-facing, North-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
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