Name: Rainbow Fetterbush
Variety: Leucothoe fontanesiana
Family: Ericaceae
Cultivar: Rainbow
Zones: 5 to 8
AHS Heat Zone: Not defined for this plant
Soil Type: Sandy loam to some clay
Soil pH: 4.5 to 6.5
Sunlight: Deep shade to dappled
Watering: Normal to moist
Fertilizer: Flowering shrub and tree fertilizer
Availability: Sold as live, potted plants.
When to plant: Plant the Rainbow Fetterbush at any time during the growing season when there is no danger of frost.
Planting Method
Container: Dig a planting hole twice the size of the root ball and as deep as the soil in the container. Center the Rainbow Fetterbush in the planting hole and backfill with soil. Create a water ring around the perimeter of the planting hole. The water ring will help divert water to the outside roots and will encourage proper root growth and nourishment. Mulch with at least 3 inches of compost or pulverized bark and water well.
Balled and burlaped: Dig a planting hole three times the size of the root ball and as deep as the root ball. Scarify the sides of the planting hole with a pitchfork or shovel. If the burlap is synthetic, remove and discard it, as synthetic burlap does not decompose. Center the Rainbow Fetterbush in the planting hole. Remove any staples or ties holding organic burlap on the plant. Fold the top of the burlap down far enough into the planting hole so that it is completely covered when you backfill. Backfill with soil. Create a water ring around the perimeter of the planting hole. The water ring will help divert water to the outside roots and will encourage proper root growth and nourishment. Mulch with at least 3 inches of compost or pulverized bark and water well.
Bare root: Soak the Rainbow Fetterbush's roots for at least eight hours to ensure proper hydration. Dig a planting hole as wide as the spread out roots and as deep as the discoloration on the trunk. The discoloration shows how deep the Rainbow Fetterbush was previously planted. Center the Rainbow Fetterbush in the planting hole and backfill with soil. Create a water ring around the perimeter of the planting hole. The water ring will help divert water to the outside roots and will encourage proper root growth and nourishment. Mulch with at least 3 inches of compost or pulverized bark and water well.
Watering
Water the Rainbow Fetterbush with at least an inch of water per week. The soil should be kept moist to a depth of 18 inches. Water again when the top few inches of soil dries out.
Fertilizing
Fertilize the Rainbow Fetterbush with flowering shrub and tree fertilizer in the spring before new growth or as otherwise directed on the package. If a soil test shows low or missing nutrients, use a nutrient-specific fertilizer instead of an all-purpose fertilizer. If you use organic fertilizer such as fish emulsion, be sure to follow the instructions on the package, as different brands have different ingredients and strengths.
Production
The Rainbow Fetterbush is a low maintenance, evergreen shrub that produces small leaves and fragrant white flowers. The leaves may be dark green, variegated or silver to cream colored.
Diseases
Powdery Mildew: Powdery mildew is a fungus that usually affects plants that have low air circulation and inadequate light. It is a bigger problem in the early spring and fall months, when the temperatures swing from high during the day to low at night, especially in zones with a lot of humidity. Powdery mildew forms a white or gray coating on the top-side of the leaves or on the fruit of the plant, making the leaves turn yellow. They eventually curl up and drop off. It makes stunted fruit that drops early. If you suspect powdery mildew, decrease watering, use a fertilizer that is low in nitrogen and keep water off the foliage. Apply fungicides as directed on their packages.
Leaf Spots: Bacteria or fungi cause brown or black spots on leaves. The leaf spots have no particular shape, but the edges look yellow. People, rain and insects spread leaf spots. When the plant is dry, remove the infected leaves. Be sure to keep the plant pruned properly, and clean up any dropped leaves under the plant. Water the plants from below. Leaf spots can also be controlled with fungicide.
Anthracnose: A fungus causes anthracnose - it is the result of a plant infection. It can cause defoliation. Signs include sunken patches on foliage and fruit. Foliage and fruit may also have a gray-brown color to it or have pinkish-tan, slimy spore masses. For prevention, do not over water plants and keep plants staked and allow them to grow on a trellis to help with air flow. Always remove and discard infected plants. Anthracnose can be controlled with a fungicide.
Pests
Scale Insects: The small, eighth-inch long scale insect attaches itself to the leaves and stems of plants. While the males have wings, the females do not, and spend their lives attached to the plant, sucking out the juices with their piercing mouth parts. The scale insect excretes honeydew, which causes the plant to have the fungus sooty mold. The sooty mold attracts ants. Cut any infected leaves off the plants. If the stems are also infected, you may have to dispose of the entire plant. You can try to control them with insecticidal soaps or pesticides. You can also introduce parasitic wasps to your garden, as they are the scale insect's natural enemies. Lady beetles are also enemies and may help to control the scale insect population.
Visit http://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/pestmanagement/greenhouse.htm for more information on pest control and pictures of pests.
Lacebugs: Lacebugs are rectangular, short bugs with wings that look like lace (hence their name). They suck the sap out of plants. Though they have wings, they do not fly. They leave spots on plants that look like bleach was splattered on them and hard, black excrement. Most of the damage by lacebugs is done underneath the leaves of a plant. They can be washed away with soap and water, insecticides, or, in a mild infestation, by simply removing infected leaves.
Cleanup
Prune the Rainbow Fetterbush in the spring and throughout the growing season for dead and decaying plant matter, otherwise this plant does not need pruning unless you want to prune to a certain shape.
Saving Seeds
Propagate the Rainbow Fetterbush with stem cuttings. Stem cuttings can be herbaceous, woody or soft wood cuttings. Cut a 6-inch stem tip and dip in rooting powder. Plant in amended soil and water well.
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