Leucothoe

Leucothoe ‘Zeblid’

Leucothoe 'Zeblid'

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
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 White Globe
Skimmia japonica ‘White Globe’