Woody > Leucothoe > Leucothoe fontanesiana > Leucothoe fontanesiana
Leucothoe fontanesiana
Drooping Leucothoe
Origin: Native to Virginia Georgia, and Tennessee.
Mike's
Opinion
"
An ericaceous plant suitable for wood land planting where it may form a partial ground cover effect. It may be prone to some winter burn in our zone.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Ericaceae |
| Genus |
| Leucothoe |
| Species |
| fontanesiana |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Shrub (evergreen) |
| Pronunciation |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 4-8 |
| Height |
| 1-2 m |
| Spread |
| 1-2 m |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| Typically fountain-like in appearance with graceful arching stems emanating from the middle of the plant. Poisonous if any part of plant is ingested. A fragrant flowered ground cover type plant. |
| Landscape |
| Good groundcover and undergrowth plant. It may also be used as a border plant in shady areas. |
| Cultivation |
| Prefers slightly acidic soils. In partial shade to full sun if the conditions are not too dry. |
| Shape |
| Multi-stemmed with hardly any horizontal branch growth with arching stems hence the name 'drooping'. |
| Growth |
| Medium |
| ID Characteristic |
| Drooping or weeping evergreen with small white flowers somewhat hidden by foliage. Slightly pyramidal form in youth but drooping at maturity. Likes slightly acidic soils that are well-drained in partial sun. |
| Pests |
| Leaf spot and root rot may be an occasional problem. |
| Habitat |
| In its native habitat it is usually found in well drained soils in full sun to partial shade. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| Fleshy, green to red in colour, with a shiny waxy coating, young stems are often glabrous. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| Small buds, about 1.25-2.5cm in size. |
| Leaf Description |
| Alternate ovate leaves ends in an acute apex. 2.5-3.3cm wide and 5-10cm long. The leaf has a short petiole, darker on top a on the underside. |
| Flower Description |
| Creamy white flowers that are slighty hidden by foliage. Urn shaped, about 5-7.5 cm long grow in clusters. Fragrant, attracts insects and birds. |
| Fruit Description |
| Fruit are small in size, about 2.5mm, and are capsules. Which are not showy. Fruit are small in size to about 3mm in length and not at all showy. |
| Colour Description |
| Bright green and bronze to purple colour which changes to dark green as the plant matures. Creamy white flowers that are semi-visible through the foliage. |
| Texture Description |
| A fine to medium textured plant. |
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