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Key characteristics

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

Shrubs

Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Zeblid'

Scarletta Leucothoe

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.

Light

Partial shade to full shade

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

Mid to late spring

Find this plant

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.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)