Leucothoe
Fetterbush
- Height × spread
- 0.45m – 2m × 0.45m – 3m
- Position
- All conditions
Availability
Generally all year, largest selection in Spring & Autumn
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
These attract the eye with their beautiful foliage which is at its best in the winter months when it turns to enticing, sometimes almost metallic shades of red, bronze and purple. There are some variegated forms including Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Makijaz' which is exuberantly blotched and splashed with cream shades as well. The fontanesiana forms have small clusters of white bell flowers in spring, but these aren't noticeable from even a short distance. They make good, quite low growing spreading shrubs and are often used for ground cover. Leycesteria keiskei forms are small and compact with red shoots and more noticeable white flowers. The Sierra laurel, Leucothoe davisiae, has pretty white flowers held above the foliage that appear in June. Leucothoe axillaris 'Curly Red' is a recent introduction with curling, somewhat corrugated foliage that makes superb eye-candy. It takes on red tones during winter. Leucothoe like acid soils though some will tolerate neutral conditions. They are shrubs for shady sites.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Brown, Green, Pink, Red, White, Yellow
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.45m – 2m
- Spread
- 0.45m – 3m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Shady court, Exotic garden
- Sun or shade
- All conditions
- Soil type
- Clay, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Structural, Coloured stems
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with sequestrol
If plants are acid loving and grown in soil with little acidity, or in a container, or are watered with limey tap water an annual feed with sequestrol (iron chelate) is highly beneficial. Follow guidelines on the packet. Will also 'blue-up' hydrangeas.
For hydrangeas that have good blue flowers in acid soil, this product can be used with alkaline soil to turn the flowers blue. This is most effective when the soil is neutral or just slightkly alkaline.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early · Planting
Remove suckers
Remove any suckers that have appeared round the base of the plant. They can often be pulled up, but it may be necessary to use secateurs or loppers to detach them from the parent plant.
Found in
More Leucothoe
Leucothoe Carinella = 'Zebekot'
Dog hobble, Drooping laurel
Leucothoe Lovita = 'Zebonard'
Switch ivy, Dog hobble, Drooping laurel
Leucothoe Scarletta = 'Zeblid'
Dog hobble, Drooping laurel
Leucothoe axillaris 'Curly Red'
Curly Dog Hobble
Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Makijaz'
Switch ivy, Dog hobble, Drooping laurel
Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Rainbow'
Switch ivy, Dog hobble, Drooping laurel
Leucothoe keiskei 'Royal Ruby'
Keisks leucothoe
Leucothoe fontanesiana
Switch ivy, Dog hobble, Drooping laurel