Leucothoe fontanesiana Dark Diamond

The Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Dark Diamond' is a recent, particularly compact, year-round decorative variety. It is notable for its thin, shiny foliage that changes colours with the seasons. Red, green, and then purple, the evergreen leaves of this bush never cease to enchant us, making up for its lacklustre flowering. Preferring acidic, humus-rich and fresh soils, it grows in partial or full shade, thus illuminating dark spots in the garden with its colours. It also tolerates pot cultivation very well, on a terrace or balcony, especially due to its good hardiness.

The Leucothoe belongs to the Ericaceae family, particularly rich in ornamental plants, such as heathers, rhododendrons, strawberry trees and pieris. Less known, the Leucothoe genus comprises about ten species that are morphologically quite close to blueberries, and originate from North America and East Asia. The most important are the L. fontanesiana and the L. axillaris which have produced numerous ornamental cultivars.

Dark Diamond is a recent selection from a New Zealand nursery, which appeared on the European market in 2019. It is a bush of reduced dimensions that spontaneously takes on a rounded habit without requiring pruning. After 10 years of cultivation, it ends up reaching about 50 cm (19.7 in) in diameter, forming a ball bristling with short pointed shoots. The leaves, whose lamina is slightly swollen near the petiole and then long acuminate, measure from 6 to 8-10 cm (2.4 to 3.1 in) and 2-3 cm (0.8-1.2 in) wide. Arranged alternately on the branches, borne by a short petiole, they are very numerous and form a beautiful mass of vegetation, shiny due to their varnished surface. When they emerge in spring, the young shoots are coloured bright red, making this plant truly attractive. Their colour then gradually turns to a dark green, which serves as a setting for the new leaves that continue to emerge during the season. The contrast is then magnificent in season and makes one forget the rather insignificant flowering, in small clusters of white bells around April-May. It is recommended to remove the faded inflorescences to prevent the plant from exhausting itself in forming fruits, and instead encourage the appearance of new bright red shoots. In autumn, the foliage changes again to take on an entirely purple colouration, which it will keep until spring.

Sharing the same needs as the other Leucothoe, 'Dark Diamond' needs a non-limestone, neutral and even slightly acidic soil if possible. It grows well in fresh humus-rich soil, and fears drought which damages its foliage and can cause entire branches to perish. That's why, although it can grow in the sun in a cool climate, it is often preferable to plant it in partial shade to limit the drying effects of the sun. It will also need to be watered in summer to prevent the roots from suffering from dryness. It also holds up under more intense shade, but its foliage will then be less colourful, which would be a pity, since this is truly its main asset. Very hardy, down to about -23°C (-9.4 °F) or even less, this bush is well suited to pot cultivation due to its compact habit, and also because its roots are not very sensitive to frost. Generally free of diseases, and not requiring pruning, it is a low-maintenance plant and ornamental year-round.

This Leucothoe will delight lovers of decorative foliage and proves with panache that evergreen does not rhyme with boring. Its colour variations make it a little gem for the garden, as well as for enhancing a terrace or even a balcony, given its small size. In the ground, it will be perfect as a border plant, or at the foot of trees, especially those with decorative bark. Thus, it will form a magnificent contrast in front of the trunk of a Chinese Birch such as the Betula albosinensis Fascination, whose name is not unjustified, so beautiful is its whitish bark in spring and then a warm coppery hue. Autumn will also be a great moment, when this tree turns yellow while the Leucothoe will have taken its burgundy red to purple livery. You can also happily associate it with other low bushes like the Sarcococcas, with fragrant winter flowerings, as well as with Hellebores.