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Tell me about leucothoes please

25 days ago

last modified: 25 days ago

I'm in zone 8 southeast Virginia, for context. But also looking for zone 6b, Ohio.
I have never tried growing leucothoe, but have heard (albeit from a very small number of internet people) good things about the burning love variety in particular.
Yet I don't see this plant in anyone's garden, and it seems hard to find, even by mail order.
I've heard leucothoes can be prone to leaf spot, but seems like burning love is not as susceptible to that? Am I missing something about this plant? Why is it so hard to find, and why do I not see it planted anywhere?
For burning love, it's only hardy to zone 6. Will it do well in Ohio?
Thanks everyone.

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

25 days ago

I am very fond of leucothoe. It is a very useful and adaptable evergreen shrub, often with great coloration. But I'd stick with one of the US native species rather than one originating in Japan. That may be why you are finding Burning Love difficult to locate and why it is not more widely grown in area gardens.

I am particularly fond of Scarletta (aka 'Zablid'). It originated in Ohio so should be fully hardy there (rated to zone 5) and is thought to be a cross between L. fonantesiana and axillaris, both native southeastern species. It stays compact, has outstanding color both with the new spring growth and in winter and IME, rarely ever troubled by leaf spot.

This is a riparian genus so appreciates a consistently moist soil and some shade. And as an ericaceous plant, must have an acidic soil.

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Comments (9)

sara82lee
Original Author
25 days ago
Thank you gardengal. I'll look for scarletta instead for Ohio, that's great info I didn't know!

Leucothoe seems to have everything going for it, still wondering why I never see it haha. I have a feeling I'm going to love it though.
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artinnature
25 days ago
This is L. keiskei at Dancing Oaks in November. I bought one from them based on the excellent winter color of this plant. I bet they still have nice sized plants available.
sara82lee thanked artinnature
Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
23 days ago
last modified: 23 days ago
My neighbors had some 'Burning Love' Leucothoe (Leucothoe keiskei ‘Opstal 50’ PP27132) installed last summer. So far they look good in our zone 7. Leucothoe in general seem to like good drainage, good air circulation and part to full shade. I've grown a number of other varieties that got fungal leaf spot. Extended cool wet weather can make it worse. 'Burning Love' is supposed to be more heat-tolerant.

Jim Putnam featured it in this video. He's in Raleigh, so SE VA should be comparable.

https://youtu.be/gnqCul-EfXI?feature=shared
sara82lee thanked Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
sara82lee
Original Author
22 days ago
Thanks Dave! I think I first saw burning love on a Jim Putnam video. I think almost every time I watch a video he puts out I want a new plant haha.

Encouraging to hear about your neighbor's! I'll be finding a burning love for myself somewhere :)

artinnature, what beautiful color on yours!! seems that nursery doesnt ship those plants though.
sam_md
22 days ago
last modified: 21 days ago
It's Leucothoe axillaris for me. I see no negatives with it. Treat it as an arching, shrubby groundcover. Sounds like OP is in Tidewater VA. If so, consider coming to this plant sale on April 27 in Alexandria. Two or three vendors should have coastal Leucothoe for sale.http://www.northernalexandrianativeplantsale.org/
sara82lee thanked sam_md
artinnature
22 days ago
Yeah after I posted it occurred to me that the plants at Dancing Oaks were pretty big and might be for nursery sales only.
Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
17 days ago
SAM! Will you be a vendor at the GreenSpring sale again?
Dutch
11 days ago
Leucothoe 'Burning Love' is a Dutch cultivar that comes from the nursery of Ron van Opstal in Zundert, The Netherlands.

https://ronvanopstal.nl/

Plant has been in the trade since appr. 2012/2013. That is not very long and sometimes new cultivars take a while to get better known.
sara82lee thanked Dutch

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