Species Rainbow leucothoe

Rainbow leucothoe

Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Rainbow'

Truly a living rainbow, Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Rainbow' is a standout evergreen shrub. Its lush, glossy leaves transition in a stunning palette from vibrant yellow to deep pink, rich red and bright green. It's celebrated for its outstanding color and its easy-care requirements. Although it prefers partial shade, it will tolerate full sun. In addition to its captivating foliage, this shrub is known for its fragrant, white flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer. Rainbow leucothoe creates an exquisite backdrop for your garden year-round, and can also be grown in containers for patios and balconies.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Cutting,Layering Propagation,Division,Grafting Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5

Flowers:

Showy, White Flowers In Spring

Sun:

Deep shade, Filtered shade, Part sun/part shade

Soil:

Acidic

Fruits:

red,pink,tan,white Fruits In Summer Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,yellow,pink,tan,white

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Care Level:

Moderate

watering

Rainbow leucothoe (Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Rainbow') should be watered thoroughly and regularly. During the growing season (late spring to early autumn), water every 7-10 days if there is no rainfall. In areas with extreme heat or drought during that time period, water every 5-7 days. During the winter, water every 3-4 weeks only if the soil feels dry to the touch. Overwatering can cause the plant's leaves to yellow and drop off.

sunlight

Rainbow leucothoe (Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Rainbow') requires partial shade to full shade to thrive. More than 5 hours of direct sunlight a day will cause the foliage to burn, making it important to plant in a spot where it will receive some morning sun and afternoon shade. It is cold hardy and can handle light shade during the winter months, and even some full sun but the foliage may turn green and lose the rainbow coloration over time if exposed to too much sun.

pruning

Rainbow leucothoe should be pruned annually in late winter before new growth appears. Start by removing any dead, damaged, or diseased wood using sterile pruning shears. Cut away any branches that are crossed, rubbing, or blocking sunlight from reaching the interior. Also remove any sucker growth around the base of the plant. The remaining branches can be lightly pruned to shape the shrub as desired. Try to maintain an even size throughout the top of the plant. Light pruning is the best approach for these plants, as heavy pruning can interfere with flowering.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Rainbow leucothoe typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May.

Harvest Fruit

Rainbow leucothoe is typically harvested in the months of April, May, and June.

Harvest Fruit

Rainbow leucothoe is typically harvested in the months of April, May, and June.

Hardiness Map