Leucothoe Rainbow

A cultivar of L. fontanesiana, Leucothoe ‘Rainbow’ is a native of the United States, with a natural habitat including Virginia, Tennessee, and Georgia. Accordingly, this shrub is very easy to grow throughout the South. In cooler climates, keep it sheltered through the winter, and in hot, dry climates, be sure to keep it moist through the summer.

Provided you protect it from the weather’s worst, Leucothoe ‘Rainbow’ is actually quite an easy and enduring perennial. It is evergreen and highly deer resistant, meaning you get to see that lovely red, green, and white variegated foliage all year long. And you can trim it as much or as little as you want, and it will keep on growing slow and steady.

This versatile plant can adapt to your needs. Leucothoe ‘Rainbow’ naturally grows 3 to 5 feet high, making it an excellent choice for a hedge. For containers or more compact spaces, this slow grower can easily be trimmed to keep it under 18 inches tall. In a foundation, border, or shrub bed, Leucothoe ‘Rainbow’ adds a colorful accent amongst all the green. Plant it in the shade of a specimen tree like Japanese Maple, and it will draw eyes to that tree even from far away.

Plant ‘Rainbow’ in partial sun in soil with good moisture. It likes frequent watering, especially in times of extreme heat. A good layer of mulch is useful for keeping the roots cool and moist.