Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Howw' WHITEWATER^®

Quite new in our gardens, leucothoe belongs to the same family as for example rhododendrons. It is becoming more and more popular as a hardy evergreen plant. Whitewater is a new-ish variety from the USA where it was bred already in 1989 by Bob H.Head in South Carolina. Only in 2009 it was released to trade along with patent No. PP18,396. It is protected in Europe, too, under PBR EU20091532. Unauthorized propagation is prohibited.

Whitewater^® leucothoe is a low, mound-forming evergreen shrub with narrowly elliptic leaves that have thin ivory variegation at the margins. In spring new leaves emerge pink, coppery and green, maturing to mid and dark green with creamy or ivory margins. In autumn and winter they turn various portions of purple-pink. It flowers quite reliably with 5-7 cm long racemes of white, urn-shaped, pieris-like flowers. Since it makes a lot of seedpods we recommend cutting back flowering branches to encourage new growths. It can also be pruned and trimmed any time from mid spring till late summer to keep it compact.

Whitewater leucothoe dislikes all-day sun. It can be grown in filtered sunlight or partial shade or shade. Being an ericaceous plant it loves the same soil type as rhodos and azaleas: light, acidic, evenly moist but well-drained soil with plenty of nutrients. This variety is more resistant to common leucothoe fungi diseases than other varieties of the species. It can be grown in a patio container. Fully hardy to approx -27°C (USDA zone 5b).

Last update 15-12-2011.