Common name: Firestar Drooping Leucothoe

Description: This stunning evergreen shrub offers year-round colour with its striking variegated foliage that changes dramatically through the seasons. The pointed oval leaves emerge bright green with cream and pink variegation in spring, developing vivid red, orange, and pink tones in autumn and winter. The arching branches create an elegant fountain-like shape, whilst drooping clusters of small white bell-shaped flowers appear in late spring, resembling lily-of-the-valley blooms. This is a showstopper plant that provides exceptional winter interest when most other plants are dormant.

Other benefits: exceptional winter colour, elegant arching habit, evergreen structure, shade tolerant

Wildlife attraction: early bees, small pollinators

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 1.2m x 1.5m

Position: partial to full shade; protected from strong winds and hot afternoon sun

Soil pH: requires acidic soil; ideal pH 4.5-6.0

Moisture: consistent moisture required; needs well-drained, humus-rich, acidic soil

Winter hardiness: hardy to -15C