Leucothoe axillaris Red Lips

The Leucothoe axillaris 'Red Lips' is a little gem for the ornamental garden, as well as for living spaces such as terraces and balconies. This miniature bush is remarkable for its fine foliage with shiny reflections and changing colours according to the season. In turn red, green then purple to wine leaves, it is a permanent delight for the eyes, including in winter as it is evergreen. This acid soil plant shows a preference for diffused light while tolerating the sun in moist soil. Ideal as a border plant, it will also be perfect in a pot on a terrace or balcony.

The Leucothoe belongs to the Ericaceae family, particularly rich in ornamental plants, such as heathers, rhododendrons, strawberry trees or even pieris. Less known, the Leucothoe genus has about ten species morphologically quite close to blueberries, and native to North America and East Asia. The most important are L. fontanesiana and L. axillaris which have given many ornamental cultivars.

'Red Lips' is thus the result of a natural mutation of a horticultural variety discovered in 1997 in Putten in the centre of the Netherlands by A.L.Ch. Bolwijn, who then protected it in 1999 with a patent to distribute it on the market. It is a bush with reduced dimensions that spontaneously takes a rounded habit without requiring pruning. With fairly slow growth, it eventually reaches about 50 cm (19.7 in) in diameter, forming a ball bristling with short sharp shoots. When they emerge in the spring, the young shoots are coloured bright red, evoking bursting flames. The foliage consists of narrow leaves carried by short petioles. Elongated and pointed at their end, they have a clearly visible central vein that gives them the appearance of red lips, hence the name of the variety. They gradually turn to a medium green until the end of the summer, though their shiny cuticle always makes them decorative. In autumn and sometimes as early as the end of August, the foliage colours again, this time taking an intense purple hue, which then persists in winter.

The flowering in May in the form of small white bells characteristic of the Ericaceae is relatively insignificant, this variety is definitely a plant with decorative foliage.
Sharing the same needs as the other Leucothoe, 'Red Lips' needs a non-limestone, neutral and if possible slightly acidic soil. It grows well in fresh humus 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 semi-shade to limit the drying effects of too bright sun. It will also need to be watered in summer to prevent the roots from suffering from dryness. It also holds under more intense shade, but its foliage will then be less coloured, which would be a shame, since it is truly its main asset. Very hardy, down to about -20°C (-4 °F) or even colder, this bush is well suited to pot culture 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 all year round.

This Leucothoe is a superb choice for pot culture, which also has the advantage of freeing it from calcareous local soils. It is then sufficient to choose an acidic repotting compost to ensure good growing conditions, and to water it regularly. In the open 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 pure white trunk of the Himalayan White Birch (Betula utilis var. jacquemontii 'Doorenbos'), and even more so in autumn when the tree's leaves take on their golden yellow livery! If space is limited, you will achieve a similar result by associating it with the Rubus thibetanus Silver Fern, an ornamental bramble with very white stems. Another interesting contrast can be obtained by planting in the background the Cornus alba Baton Rouge, a dogwood with red coral wood of great beauty.