New Plant of the Week....Dwarf, Curly-Leafed Leucothoe in Shades of Red and Purple

'Tis the season for new plants, and this is one cool little shrub, developed in the Netherlands. I've never seen it before, and picked one up at Bayview Farm and Garden last weekend. You should be able to find Leucothoe axillaris 'Curly Red' at most nurseries, because it's being produced by the big California grower Monrovia. 

I've grown the big, gawky tri-colored rainbow leucothoe (L. fontanenesiana); it's a fine evergreen for shady spots, if a little awkwardly shaped. But this dwarf version is neat and tidy, densely leafed, and grows slowly to only about 16 inches high. And it's gorgeous, especially if you like twisted, curly-leafed plants. It looks as if a brisk wind is constantly tousling its pretty burgundy foliage.

'Curly Red' is very hardy, with thick, leathery leaves in dense sworls.  It's so satisfying to find a pretty little shrub that is so practical - it'd work for understory plantings, mass plantings, foundation plantings....

Best of all, the foliage is evergreen and changes colors with the seasons. In autumn, the leaves are red, turning purple in winter. Little white flowers in spring aren't the point. It takes partial sun, and of course I'm going to grow it in a container - this is a gem to admire close up. Little evergreens are a dream in pots, carrying plantings through the seasons which is just what this sweet little shrub looks like it was made for....I'll pair it with coppery colored carex and maybe some of the darkest purple ajuga to repeat the crinkly texture in another color....I'll post a photo when I pull the pot planting together....

 

Comments

[Linsey]

Oh! I have been on the prowl for a mini shrub for the base of my front bed. This might be the winner! Love that its evergreen and changes color. Thanks for passing along, Val!

[coriander seed]

Incredible, its simply looking so beautiful! Leucothoe, is a great plant for shade. Its interesting that this plant changes colors with the seasons..

[Ruth Armitage]

This is gorgeous! Thanks for the pairing hints too :) I can think of all kinds of possibilities with this one :)

[Lynn]

I'm so excited about this plant! I just did a design for clients in Zone 5/6 who want flowers all year. I think this little beauty will fit the bill. I'm pairing it with Christmas Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) and Red twig dogwood (Cornus sericea 'Baileyi'). I love your idea of pairing it with Ajuga!