Leafscape™ Little Flames Leucothoe

Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Little Flames' PP #25,246

Pronunciation: loo-KOTH-o-ee fon-ta-nee-zee-AH-na
SKU #42141
5-9

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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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Description 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.
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
DescriptionEven 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.
Bloom TimeSpring
Deciduous/EvergreenEvergreen
Special FeaturesDramatic Foliage Color, Easy Care, Compact Form
Problems/SolutionsDeer Resistant, Very Wet Areas
Growth RateSlow
Flower AttributesFragrant
Patent ActAsexual reproduction of plants protected by the Plant Patent Act is prohibited during the life of the patent.
Style
Landscape UseBorder, Hedge, Ground Cover
Design IdeasScarletta'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 ColorWhite
Foliage ColorMulticolored
Companion PlantsRhododendron (Rhododendron); Holly (Ilex); Painted Fern (Athyrium); Astilbe (Astilbe); Oregon Grape Holly (Mahonia)
Care
Care InstructionsPrefers 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
HistoryThis 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
LoreLeucothoe is the name of the daughter of Orchamus, king of Babylonia from ancient mythology.

Frequently asked questions

Does Leafscape™ Little Flames Leucothoe produce flowers?
Spring
Is Leafscape™ Little Flames Leucothoe evergreen or deciduous?
Leafscape™ Little Flames Leucothoe is Evergreen.
What are the special features of Leafscape™ Little Flames Leucothoe?
Leafscape™ Little Flames Leucothoe is Dramatic Foliage Color, Easy Care, Compact Form.
Is Leafscape™ Little Flames Leucothoe resistant to pests or animals?
Deer Resistant, Very Wet Areas
How fast does Leafscape™ Little Flames Leucothoe grow?
Leafscape™ Little Flames Leucothoe has a Slow growth rate.
Where can I use Leafscape™ Little Flames Leucothoe in my landscape?
Leafscape™ Little Flames Leucothoe is suitable for: Border, Hedge, Ground Cover.
How can I use Leafscape™ Little Flames Leucothoe in my garden design?
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.
What color are Leafscape™ Little Flames Leucothoe flowers?
Leafscape™ Little Flames Leucothoe produces White flowers.
What color is the foliage of Leafscape™ Little Flames Leucothoe?
Leafscape™ Little Flames Leucothoe has Multicolored foliage.
What plants grow well with Leafscape™ Little Flames Leucothoe?
Good companion plants for Leafscape™ Little Flames Leucothoe include: Rhododendron (Rhododendron); Holly (Ilex); Painted Fern (Athyrium); Astilbe (Astilbe); Oregon Grape Holly (Mahonia).
How do I care for Leafscape™ Little Flames Leucothoe?
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.
What is the history of Leafscape™ Little Flames Leucothoe?
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

About Us

We have been pioneers and craftsmen in the art of growing plants for 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.