Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Rainbow' has Gracefully arching, striking red stems with colorful, creamy white and green mottled foliage with scarlet accents. Showy, drooping clusters of white flowers add a nice touch to cut arrangements. Effective as hedge, or clip to create an attractive groundcover. Growth Habit This is a slow-growing, evergreen shrub with elegant arching stems. It has a compact and tidy appearance, reaching 3 – 6 feet high and wide. It is native to the southeast region of the United States. The fragrant flowers attract butterflies and are lovely in cut flower arrangements. Care This shrub prefers partial shade in our zone and needs consistent moisure. In full sun, the foliage will burn. Rainbow Leucothe appreciates consistent moisture and can even tolerate boggy conditions. It requires acidic soil that is rich in organic matter. Mulch new plants with high quality compost to conserve moisture and keep the roots cool. Toxicity Vomiting, diarrhea, depression, cardiovascular collapse, hyper salivation, weakness, coma, low blood pressure, death. Ingestion of a few leaves can cause serious problems. Deer resistant.
