Leucothoe fontanesiana Color Diamond

The Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Color Diamond' is a delightful variegated variety derived from a evergreen bush of heath soil poetically nicknamed Pearl Flower. This cultivar is appealing for its compact habit, neat appearance, and the changing colours of its foliage. In spring, a delicate flowering in clusters of cream-white bells enhances its charm. With its small, bushy silhouette, it works wonders in a pot, on the terrace or in borders. Very hardy, this shrub will thrive in dappled light, in fresh soil. 

The Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Color Diamond' is a plant of the Ericaceae family, like heathers and rhododendrons, with which it shares a strong liking for acidic soils and the half-light. The botanical species is a modest-sized bush that grows in the damp undergrowth of the southeastern United States. 'Color Diamond' has a very compact and dense bushy habit, it will reach 50 cm (19.7 in) in height and  30-40 cm (11.8-15.7 in) in width at adulthood. Its variegated, changing and superbly coloured foliage is its main asset. It consists of leaves 6 to 8 cm (2.4 to 3.1 in) long, 2 to 3 cm (0.8 to 1.2 in) wide, long and slender, ending in a point. The young leaves, irregularly edged with cream-white, are copper-coloured, they then turn green, creating a beautiful combination of shades on the plant, before turning colour again in winter. This bush is also called pearl flower for its spring flowering which appears, most often in May, at the ends of the shoots. This appears in the form of pendulous clusters 7 to 10 cm (2.8 to 3.9 in) long, made up of slightly scented bell-shaped flowers, cream-white in colour.

A hardy bush, the Leucothoe 'Color Diamond' dislikes limestone, heatwaves, drought, and overly heavy soils. Like the camellias and rhododendrons with which it forms beautiful associations, this plant appreciates humus-rich, flexible, draining soils that remain slightly moist all summer. Its dense and evergreen silhouette is a perfect 'trunk-cover' when placed at the foot of light trees or bushes, whose base is bare, and it forms a very beautiful duo with the nandinas. It will also accompany medium-sized perennials such as hellebores or ferns, winter heathers (Erica darleyensis), in front of shrub clusters composed of gaultheria, symphoricarpos or pieris, or even isolated. It also grows very well in pots, with shade and regular watering, with non-limestone water. Its presence will bring a very personal touch to the terrace or balcony.