Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Zeblid'
Scarletta Leucothoe
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Height
- 2 to 3 feet
- Width
- 3 to 4 feet
- Flower color
- White
- Foliage color
- Glossy dark green turning deep burgundy-red in fall and winter
- Bloom time
- Mid to late spring
- Light
- Partial shade to full shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; occasional pruning after flowering to maintain shape
- Growing zone
- USDAZones 5 to 8
- Wildlife
- Attracts pollinators like bees
About this plant
Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Zeblid', commonly known as Scarletta, is an evergreen shrub admired for its colorful foliage. New growth emerges a vivid bronze-red in spring, maturing to glossy deep green through summer, and taking on rich burgundy tones in fall and winter. In late spring, small clusters of delicate, urn-shaped white flowers appear, gently perfumed and adding a graceful touch beneath the arching branches.
Native to the southeastern United States, Leucothoe fontanesiana is well-suited to woodland gardens and shaded borders. The 'Zeblid' cultivar is celebrated for its compact growth habit and vibrant seasonal foliage, making it an excellent choice for year-round visual interest. Its ability to thrive in a range of settings and its elegant, flowing form lend it versatility in both naturalistic and formal garden designs.
Works well in
Woodland Gardens · Shade Gardens · Borders · Containers
Companion plants
Pieris · Japanese forest grass · Brunnera · Viburnum · Trillium · Lungwort
Design tip
Use ‘Zeblid’ in repeated groups along a shaded border, where its arching form can create a flowing transition between taller shrubs and lower groundcovers. Pair it with lighter green or variegated foliage to emphasize its bronze-red spring growth and deep burgundy winter color.
