Leucothoe axillaris 'Opstal20' TWISTING RED® leucothoe

Leucothoe species is a relatively new group of plants in Central Europe which gain more and more attention and admirers, including me. They are low or prostrate evergreen shrubs with leathery leaves and sufficient hardiness. Twisting Red® is a Dutch selection by Ron van Opstal, introduced at Plantarium in 2011 with great success. It is protected by European Breeders Rights No. 20101687.

Twisting Red® is an evergreen, compact shrub with beautifully twisted leaves. They are deep green and very glossy, new shoots are burgundy red, and the whole shrub turns this red in late autumn for the whole winter until warm days of mid spring. It resembles Curly Red® variety but has smaller leaves and deeper colour. In late spring it produces small, lily-of-the-valley-like white flowers.

Leucothoes grow naturally in woodlands under trees which means that they are used to anything from filtered sun to deep shade. However, in our tests they proved to live happily in full sun, too, if given sufficient moisture. Only in case of long-lasting, harsh frosts without snow we recommend protecting them with greens or white woven to keep the top leaves from sunburn.

As an ericaceous plant it requires soil that is light, acidic, and constantly moist (not wet). If your garden soil is too heavy do not dig a deep hole but make a shallow and wide bed topped up with a good mixture of peat, fine bark chips, and leaf (forest) litter. Keep the soil moist by mulching. Slow-release fertilizers are advised. No pruning needed. Expected hardiness is -24°C (USDA zone 6).

Last update 01-02-2012