Description
Leucothoe –
There are about 50 species of deciduous, semi evergreen, or evergreen shrubs in this genus. They occur in woodland, thickets, swamps, and streambanks in Madagascar, the Himalayas, Eastern Asia and North and South America. They are grown for their handsome foliage, which are alternate, very variably in shape, simple, often glossy, and leathery dark green or variegated leaves (the deciduous species color well in autumn) and for their bell to urn shaped, usually white sometimes pink flowers, borne in terminal or axillary racemes or panicles. The fruits are small capsules containing many seeds. Effective in a woodland garden.
Grow in humus rich, reliably moist, acidic soil in deep or partial shade.
Prone to anthracnose spot, tar spot, powdery mildew, leaf gall, lace bugs, and scale insects.
L. davisiae – Sierra Laurel – This upright, suckering, evergreen shrub from California and Oregon grows 3′ feet tall and 5′ feet wide. It produces ovate-oblong, glossy, sparsely toothed, dark green leaves, to 3″ long. In early summer it bears bell shaped white flowers, 1/4″ long, held in erect, axillary racemes, 2-6″ long.
Zones 8-9
