Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Rainbow'
RAINBOW DROOPING FETTERBUSH, DOG-HOBBLE
syn. Leucothoe catesbaei, L. walteri
Family: Ericaceae
Pronounced: loo-KO-tho-ee font-a-neez-ee-AH-na
Quick Jumps
Growing Guide
Rainy Side Notes
GROWING GUIDE
Origin:
Garden.
Plant Group:
Shrubs
Hardiness:
Sunset zones: 4-7, 15-17.
USDA zones: 5-8.
Heat zones: 8-3.
Mature size:
Height: 5 feet (1.5 m).
Width: 6 feet (2 m).
Flowering period:
April to May.
Flowering attributes:
Long, axillary racemes carry creamy-white, urn-shaped flowers that flow down over the foliage.
Leaf attributes:
Lance-shaped green leaves with cream and tinges of pink mottling. In winter the leaves turn darker with splashes of burgundy, cream, pink and green.
Light:
Deep or partial shade to light shade.
Soil:
Moist, humus-rich, acidic soil.
Feeding:
Side dress with compost or leaf mold every year.
Propagation Methods:
In summer root semi-ripe cuttings using bottom heat. Divide suckers off in spring.
Pruning Methods:
Prune in late winter to early spring. Flowers bloom on the previous year's growth so prune minimally so as not to take off all the flowering branches.
Pests and Diseases:
Anthracnose spot, powdery mildew, leaf gall, and scale may be problems.
Rainy Side Notes
This east coast native is a wonderful evergreen shrub for the garden. It looks fantastic in all four seasons in the Northwest. In a recent article for West Sound Home and Garden, I sang leucothoe's praises, "... the cascading waterfall effect of a variegated Leucothoe (pronounced loo-KOTH-oh-ee) “Rainbow” can soften a hard wall with foliage in hues of cream, green and burgundy."
The flowers are scented, rather, it's the kind of odor that makes you crinkle your nose.
Debbie Teashon
Photographed in author's garden.
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners) and Wendy Tweton