Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Rainbow'
RAINBOW DROOPING FETTERBUSH, DOG-HOBBLE
syn. Leucothoe catesbaei, L. walteri
Family: Ericaceae
Pronounced: loo-KO-tho-ee font-a-neez-ee-AH-na
![Leucothoe foliage Leucothoe foliage](../../images/shrubs/Leucothoe_fontanesianaRainbow-thumb.jpg)
Quick Jumps
Growing Guide
Rainy Side Notes
GROWING GUIDE
![Leucothoe flowers Leucothoe flowers](../../images/shrubs/Leucothoe_fontanesianaRainbowFlowers043005.jpg)
Origin:
Garden.
Plant Group:
Shrubs
Hardiness:
Sunset zones: 4-7, 15-17.
USDA zones: 5-8.
Heat zones: 8-3.
Mature size:
Height: 5 feet (1.5 m).
Width: 6 feet (2 m).
Flowering period:
April to May.
Flowering attributes:
Long, axillary racemes carry creamy-white, urn-shaped flowers that flow down over the foliage.
Leaf attributes:
Lance-shaped green leaves with cream and tinges of pink mottling. In winter the leaves turn darker with splashes of burgundy, cream, pink and green.
Light:
Deep or partial shade to light shade.
Soil:
Moist, humus-rich, acidic soil.
Feeding:
Side dress with compost or leaf mold every year.
Propagation Methods:
In summer root semi-ripe cuttings using bottom heat. Divide suckers off in spring.
Pruning Methods:
Prune in late winter to early spring. Flowers bloom on the previous year's growth so prune minimally so as not to take off all the flowering branches.
Pests and Diseases:
Anthracnose spot, powdery mildew, leaf gall, and scale may be problems.
Rainy Side Notes
![Leucothoe 'Rainbow' foliage in August. Leucothoe 'Rainbow' foliage in August.](../../images/shrubs/Leucothoe_fontanesianaRainbow081005_2.jpg)
![December foliage December foliage](../../images/shrubs/LeucotheRainbow.jpg)
![December foliage December foliage](../../images/shrubs/Leucothe122004.jpg)
This east coast native is a wonderful evergreen shrub for the garden. It looks fantastic in all four seasons in the Northwest. In a recent article for West Sound Home and Garden, I sang leucothoe's praises, "... the cascading waterfall effect of a variegated Leucothoe (pronounced loo-KOTH-oh-ee) “Rainbow” can soften a hard wall with foliage in hues of cream, green and burgundy."
The flowers are scented, rather, it's the kind of odor that makes you crinkle your nose.
![Leucothoe spring foliage Leucothoe spring foliage](../../images/shrubs/Leucothoe_fontanesianaRainbow060705_3.jpg)
![Leucothoe May flowers and foliage. Leucothoe May flowers and foliage.](../../images/shrubs/LeucotheRainbow051808.jpg)
Debbie Teashon
Photographed in author's garden.
![Gardening for the Homebrewer Gardening for the Homebrewer](../../images/front_page/GardeningHomebrewerBookCover.jpg)
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners) and Wendy Tweton