Leucothoe, Rainbow Drooping Leucothoe

Rainbow Drooping Leucothoe is a colorful native evergreen shrub with a lax, arching multi-stemmed habit.  Its variegated foliage emerges molted with pinks, bronze, and creams and matures to deep green specked with creamy white before turning shades of burgundy, bronze, and red in fall.  Drooping clusters of fragrant white flowers are borne in profuse axillary clusters in mid-spring.  Grows best with partial sun in rich and moist, well-drained acidic soils.  Leaves are highly toxic if ingested. 

Type:	Shrub
Origins:	Southeast N. America; GA Native
Height:	3' - 4'
Spread:	4' - 5'
Spacing:	4.5'
USDA Hardiness Zone:	5 - 9
Culture:	Part Sun, Full Shade
Bloom Color:	White
Season of Interest:	Spring, Year-Round

MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Low maintenance. Do not water overhead, and plant in partial sun in humid climates to prevent powdery mildew.  Tolerates severe pruning.

LANDSCAPE USES:  Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Woodland Gardens, Wildlife Gardens, Naturalized Areas, Privacy Screen, Foundational Plantings, and Hedges.

COMPANION PLANTS: American Elm, Azalea, Lenten Rose

IMAGES: A. Barra, Leucothoe fontainesiana Rainbow, CC BY 3.0, (2) SuperFantastic, Leucothoë fontanesiana 'Rainbow'

*As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown.