The Leucothoe, also known as the Doghobble, is a stunning garden plant that is becoming increasingly popular among gardening enthusiasts. With its glossy leaves and elegant appearance, the Leucothoe adds a touch of magic to any garden. This is especially true in the autumn and winter as most varieties are evergreen and the foliage has great hues of green, red, gold, pink or bronze depending on the cultivar.
Location for Leucothoe
Choosing the right location is crucial for a healthy and thriving Leucothoe. Here are some important considerations:
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Light: Leucothoes thrive best in partial shade to shady areas. Too much direct sunlight can cause the leaves to fade and become damaged. A spot with filtered sunlight is ideal.
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Soil type: This plant prefers acidic, well-draining soil. Ensure the soil remains moist but not overly saturated.
Caring for your Leucothoe
A healthy Leucothoe begins with proper care. Here are some tips to keep your plant in top condition:
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Watering: Make sure the soil remains consistently moist, but avoid overwatering. Mulching helps retain soil moisture.
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Fertilization: Provide your Leucothoe with a bit of acidic plant fertilizer in the spring. This promotes healthy growth.
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Pruning: Regular pruning keeps your Leucothoe in shape and encourages new growth. It is best to do this after flowering in the spring.
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Winter protection: During severe frost, it can be helpful to apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to protect the roots.
Types of Leucothoe
Most Doghobble varieties are evergreen, retaining their leaves throughout the winter. This means they stay green year-round and make a beautiful addition to the garden, even in the colder months. In terms of hardiness, many Leucothoe varieties are reasonably resilient to cold temperatures, especially when well-established in the ground. However, it's always wise to provide extra protection in the form of mulch or covering during extremely cold weather conditions. Always look at the details provided with your purchased plant or feel free to ask one of our qualified staff for information on the hardiness of specific Leucothoe varieties, as there may be some variations between different cultivars.
There are several beautiful varieties of Leucothoe available that can enrich your garden with their unique features:
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Leucothoe Rainbow: With its variegated leaves ranging from pink to cream and green, the Rainbow adds a colourful accent to your garden.
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Leucothoe Scarletta: This variety is characterized by its deep green leaves that transform into a stunning burgundy red colour in the autumn.
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Leucothoe Curly Red: The leaves of this variety have a striking curly shape and turn beautifully red in the autumn.
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Leucothoe Curly Gold: This is a relatively new variety for us, with similar curly leaves to those of 'Curly Red' only the leaves are a mix of green, red and golden yellow.
Below, you can see the enchanting red colour of the Leucothoe Scarletta.
Companions for Leucothoe
When it comes to other plants to combine with Leucothoe in your borders, you really need only look at those plants that love similar neutral to acidic soil conditions, many of which are evergreen too and combine to make a low maintenance border that offers interest throughout the year. Plants like Pieris look great planted alongside Leucothoes as they too tend to have foliage that ranges in colour from green to red but can offer a slightly finer, softer leaf texture in the border. Leucothoes can also be used to plant in front of taller, Crinodendron plants with the red foliage of some leucothoe varieties, complementing those red lantern-like berries. The likes of Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Camellias are also perfect partners, providing more showy flowers in a range of colours from spring into early summer.
We offer a selection of healthy and beautiful Leucothoe plants ready to claim a prominent spot in your garden. You can view our full selection online or visit one of our stores in Boyle or Roscommon Town. If you don't see the variety of leucothoe you are looking for (or any plant for that matter) then please get in touch by phone or email and we will do our best to source exactly what you are after.
Happy gardening!
