Leucothoe fontanesiana Crimson Globe

The Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Crimson Globe' is a small beautifully coloured evergreen bush, perfectly hardy, whose neat and compact habit wonderfully suits shaded terraces and balconies. It bears long leaves that change colour with the seasons, displaying a particularly remarkable beetroot red in autumn. The young plant is adorned in spring with charming flower clusters, filled with small white flowers. This variety thrives in cool and acidic soil, in semi-shade. 

The Leucothoe 'Crimson Globe' is a plant of the Ericaceae family, like heathers and rhododendrons, with which it shares a distinct taste for acidic soils and dim light. This selection displays a dense, rounded and compact habit. It will reach about 75 cm (29.5 in) in height and 65 cm (25.6 in) in width at maturity. Its foliage is its main asset. It is composed of 6 to 10 cm (2.4 to 3.9 in) long leaves, 2 to 3 cm (0.8 to 1.2 in) wide, long and tapered, ending in a point. They are born bronze in colour, turn green in summer, become red in early autumn, then turn purple-red, brown with mauve reflections before ending up bronze in winter. This bush is also called pearl flower for its spring flowering which appears at the ends of branches. This appears as clusters of 7 to 15 cm (2.8 to 5.9 in), composed of slightly fragrant bell-shaped flowers, cream white. 

A hardy bush, the Leucothoe is generally cultivated like camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons. The silhouette of 'Crimson Globe,' dense and evergreen, is a perfect 'trunk cover' that can be placed at the foot of light trees or bushes, whose base is naked. It forms a very beautiful duo with nandinas. It can be associated with medium-sized perennials such as hellebores or ferns, winter heathers (Erica darleyensis), in front of shrub clusters composed of pernettyas, azaleas, snowberries or pieris, or even alone. It also grows very well in pots, with shading and regular watering, using non-limestone water. Its presence will bring a very personal touch to the terrace or balcony.