Leucothoe
Leucothoe
Switch ivy
- Position: partial shade
- Soil: moist, acidic soil
- Flowering period: April to May
- Height: 0,6-1m
- Foliage: evergreen
- Hardiness: fully hardy
Leucothoe. This evergreen shrub is mainly grown for its colourful foliage. The slender leaves take on a lovely bronze-red in the autumn. Clusters of small white or pink flowers will appear in spring. Ideal plant for winter containers and small gardens.
Leucothoe prefers partial shade but tolerates full sun if the soil is moist.
Varieties
Leucothoe ‘Scarletta’ (‘Zeblid’)
Leucothoe ‘Scarletta’ (‘Zeblid’) is a beautiful foliage plant with different leaf colours. The young leaves emerge as maroon, maturing to a dark green, then a bronze-red in autumn. This shrub is relatively low-growing and grows to 0,6-1m tall.
Leucothoe ‘Little Flames’
Smaller at 0,5m, ‘Little Flames’ produces deep green foliage that turns fiery red during the autumn months.
Other good forms include Leucothoe axillaris ‘Curly Red’, Leucothoe keiskei ‘Burning Love’ en Leucothoe keiskei ‘Royal Ruby’.
Leucothoe axillaris ‘Curly Red’ Leucothoe ‘Little Flames’
Planting
Leucothoe likes slightly acidic soil. If you don’t have acidic soil, you can grow leucothoe in plant containers. Use an ericaceous compost, when planting.
Pruning
When and how to prune Leucothoe (Switch ivy). Leucothoe is best pruned after flowering in late spring. If necessary, cut back dead, damaged or misplaced stems just above the base of the plant.
Plant combination
Leucothoe goes well with skimmia, winter heath en rhododendron
Skimmia japonica ‘White Globe’
