Tree of the Week: Drooping Leucothoe Leucothoe fontanesiana

Presented by the Department of Urban Forestry, 474-TREE

A native shrub from Virginia to Georgia and Tennessee and found throughout the Appalachian Mountains is Leucothoe fontanesiana. Introduced to the plant community in 1793 by famed naturalist William Bartram, Leucothoe is an excellent evergreen shrub for cool, moist, shady gardens especially in the deep south.

Drooping Leucothoe is a medium sized shrub of 3-6? by 3-6? with a slow to medium growth habit found in zones 5 through 8. The leaves are evergreen, alternate, simple, leathery with a lanceolate shape about 2-5″ (inches) in length. New growth can be bright green, bronze to purple eventually changing to lustrous dark green. In the winter, the leaves may develop a bronze to purplish color. The flowers are showy and are white and fragrant, blooming from April to May. Since this plant is part of the Ericaceae family and related to Rhododendrons, cultural practices must be followed. This means to plant the shrub in an acid, moist, well-drained, organic soil in partial to full shade. It will NOT tolerate drought or sweeping, drying winds. It may tolerate full sun if irrigated. Stressful situations may cause the plant to develop fungal leafspots. If the plant appears leggy, then rejuvenate by cutting to the ground after flowering.

Leucothoe has a good landscape value for the shade garden and can be used as a groundcover under leggy plants or trees. It will contrast nicely with Rhododendron foliage or other broad-leafed evergreens. Several varieties exist that accent various types of leaf color. An added benefit is the plant is deer resistant. As part of the Main Street Renovation project, several were planted around the fountain in City Park. For further questions, please call the Department of Urban Forestry at 474-TREE or (474-8733).