Leucothoe fontanesiana Rainbow

Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Rainbow' or Leucothe walteri is distinguished by its dense, evergreen foliage with reddish-orange young shoots, turning dark green with wide pink and white marbling, and eventually changing to dark red from autumn to winter. In spring, it produces clusters of pendulous, small white flowers with a slight fragrance at the tips of its branches. This is a small, ornamental bush that has a beautifully arching and low habit with well-spread branches. It is an exceptional subject in a pot on a terrace, as a foreground in shrub borders, and as colorful ground cover on slopes. Native to damp woodlands, it should be planted in acidic, moist, light, and rich soil in shade or partial shade.

Leucothoe fontanesiana, also known as the Pearl Flower, is a shrub from the Ericaceae family that is used ornamentally for its arching silhouette and ever-changing foliage colours, which are magnificent throughout the year. It forms a spreading and low clump, reaching 1 to 2 metres (3 feet 4 inches to 6 feet 7 inches) in all directions, or even wider. It is native to humid forests in the southeastern United States. It is a hardy species, tolerating temperatures down to -15°C (5 °F). This Leucothoe is found in cool undergrowth, avoiding overly dry and exposed locations to wind and sun. It thrives in humus-rich soil that remains moist and neutral to slightly acidic, without limestone. The 'Rainbow' variety has a particularly compact habit and does not exceed 1 metre (3 feet 4 inches) in height and 1.5 metres (4 feet 11 inches) in width. From April to May, clusters of small white bell-shaped flowers, about 6mm (0.2in) long and slightly fragrant, emerge. The clusters appear at the axils of the red leaf stalks, only at the ends of the branches, and measure 7 to 15cm (2.8 to 5.9in) long. The evergreen foliage is composed of glossy, leathery, ovate-lanceolate leaves measuring 6 to 15cm (2.4 to 5.9in) long, with a sharp acuminate tip. When young, the leaves are initially reddish-orange before taking on a dark green colour heavily marked with white and pink. From autumn, the leaves turn dark red and remain persistent throughout the winter. Its variegation stands out more distinctly in a bright semi-shaded exposure!

This spreading shrub complements heather beds perfectly, for example, around a pond. In a Japanese garden, plant it with Japanese grasses, rhododendrons, and azaleas. It can be placed in a border, as a low hedge mixed with other low shrubs, in a rockery, and even in a container to recreate colourful woodland scenes. Consider pairing it with tall ferns, bearded irises, foxgloves, and sedges. When in a container, water it with rainwater that is free from limestone.