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Leafscape™ Little Flames Leucothoe
Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Little Flames' PP #25,246
Pronunciation: loo-KOTH-o-ee fon-ta-nee-zee-AH-na
SKU #42141
Even showier than its parent, this low, spreading shrub bursts into spring with fine, fire-engine red new leaves followed by small, fragrant flowers. The shiny green summer foliage sets afire again in fall, in deeper hues of burgundy-red. Maintains a compact, neat shape without pruning. Great for a low hedge, groundcover, or container accent. Evergreen.
LIGHT: Filtered sun, Partial shade, Partial sun
WATER: Water when top 2 inches of soil is dry.
SIZE: Reaches 18 to 20 in. tall, 12 in. wide, slowly spreading wider.
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Be Inspired: How to Use this Plant
| Bloom Time | Spring |
|---|---|
| Deciduous/Evergreen | Evergreen |
| Special Features | Dramatic Foliage Color, Easy Care, Compact Form |
| Problems/Solutions | Deer Resistant, Very Wet Areas |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Flower Attributes | Fragrant |
| Patent Act | Asexual reproduction of plants protected by the Plant Patent Act is prohibited during the life of the patent. |
| Landscape Use | Border, Hedge, Ground Cover |
| Design Ideas | Scarletta's new growth in springtime is an explosion of color, varying from deep scarlet to bronzy orange. The evergreen leaves morph into a glossy green for summer, then as autumn moves into winter the foliage takes on a patina of burgundy, bronze, or dark purple. Perfect for a seasonally colorful border or low hedge, ground cover in moist woodland settings, or as an accent in decorative pots. |
| Flower Color | White |
| Foliage Color | Multicolored |
| Companion Plants | Rhododendron (Rhododendron); Holly (Ilex); Painted Fern (Athyrium); Astilbe (Astilbe); Oregon Grape Holly (Mahonia) |
| Care Instructions | Prefers acidic, humus-rich, well-drained soils; highly adaptable. Takes full sun only in cooler climates; dappled sun to part shade elsewhere. Water deeply, regularly to establish root system; once established, keep evenly moist. Apply an acid fertilizer early spring; repeat after flowering. Keep roots cool with a thick layer of mulch. |
| History | This genus of ericaceous plants includes over forty species throughout the Americas and eastern Asia. The species Leucothoe fontanesiana is native to North American, primarily inhabiting the Appalachian Mountains, inhabiting moist, forested mountain areas, stream banks and ravines from New York to Georgia. Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Little Flames' was discovered by Boomkwekerij R. van Opstal in Zundert, The Netherlands in fall of 2007, as a naturally occurring branch mutation of a container-grown plant of Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Zeblid'PP #5,195, commonly known as Scarletta Fetterbush. Leucothoe 'Zelbid' is thought to be a hybrid of Leucothoe fontanesiana and Leucothoe axillaris however, the cross cannot be confirmed, therefore the species of the maternal plant was maintained. The characteristics of the new plant discovery were observed as: a remarkably dwarf, dense habit with fine, narrow leaves, new growth with bright red leaves, petioles and stems that were much brighter red than its parent, and cold hardines |
| Lore | Leucothoe is the name of the daughter of Orchamus, king of Babylonia from ancient mythology. |
Details
| Bloom Time | Spring |
|---|---|
| Deciduous/Evergreen | Evergreen |
| Special Features | Dramatic Foliage Color, Easy Care, Compact Form |
| Problems/Solutions | Deer Resistant, Very Wet Areas |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Flower Attributes | Fragrant |
| Patent Act | Asexual reproduction of plants protected by the Plant Patent Act is prohibited during the life of the patent. |
Style
Care
History
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About Us
We have been pioneers and craftsmen in the art of growing plants for nearly
100 years. Since our founding in Southern California by Harry E. Rosedale, Sr.
in 1926, we have been absolutely dedicated and obsessed with quality.
We have been pioneers and craftsmen in the art of growing plants for nearly 100 years. Since our founding in Southern California by Harry E. Rosedale, Sr. in 1926, we have been absolutely dedicated and obsessed with quality.