Leucothoe Red Lips
Price range: £15.00 through £22.00
Description
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Switch Ivy, Dog Hobble, Fetterbush
- Botanical Name: Leucothoe fontanesiana ‘Red Lips’
- Plant Type: Evergreen shrub
- Mature Height: 1-1.5m
- Mature Spread: 1.5-2m
- Flowering Period: April to June
- Flower Colour: White, fragrant bell-shaped clusters with distinctive red stems
- Foliage: Dark green, glossy leaves turning bronze-purple in winter
- Hardiness: RHS H6 (-20°C to -15°C)
- Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, acidic soil (pH 4.5-6.5)
- Aspect: Partial to full shade
- Maintenance: Low
Description
Like a whispered secret in the shadiest corners of your garden, Leucothoe ‘Red Lips’ reveals its enchanting beauty to those who venture into our woodland style spaces. This captivating evergreen shrub earned its flirtatious name from the striking contrast between its pristine white, sweetly fragrant flowers and the bold crimson stems that hold them aloft like nature’s own lipstick.
Throughout spring and early summer, cascading racemes of delicate, lily-of-the-valley-like blooms dance gracefully from vivid red branches, creating a spectacular display that seems almost too elegant for our humble English gardens. The dark green, lance-shaped leaves provide the perfect backdrop, their glossy surface catching dappled light filtering through tree canopies above.
As autumn whispers its arrival, ‘Red Lips’ transforms once more, with foliage shifting to rich bronze and burgundy tones that complement Ireland’s golden season beautifully. This hardy beauty thrives in our cool, moist climate, particularly excelling in those challenging shaded areas where many plants struggle to perform.
The graceful, arching habit creates natural layers in woodland gardens, whilst the year-round interest makes it invaluable for adding structure and colour to shaded borders. Plant alongside Rhododendrons, Pieris, and Camellias for an acid-loving community that celebrates the sophisticated beauty of shade gardening.
Caragh Garden Notebook
Plant in autumn or early spring, choosing a sheltered spot with consistent moisture but good drainage. Space plants 1.5m apart to accommodate their naturally spreading habit and allow air circulation.
Prepare planting areas with generous amounts of leaf mould or well-rotted compost to create the humus-rich, acidic conditions this woodland native craves. In heavy clay soils, consider raised planting or adding grit to improve drainage whilst maintaining moisture retention.
Mulch annually with bark chips or leaf mould to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and gradually improve soil acidity. Water regularly during dry spells, particularly in the first two years whilst the root system establishes.
Pruning is rarely necessary due to the plant’s naturally elegant form, but any wayward or damaged branches can be removed immediately after flowering. Feed with ericaceous fertiliser in early spring to encourage healthy growth and abundant blooms.
In exposed gardens, provide wind protection to prevent leaf scorch and maintain the plant’s pristine appearance throughout our unpredictable weather.
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