Squirt Leucothoe

Squirt Leucothoe (Leucothoe axillaris 'Squirt')

Squirt Leucothoe, Leucothoe axillaris 'Squirt', is a dwarf, shade loving evergreen shrub with vivid red and orange new growth that matures to glossy deep green and picks up burgundy tones in cooler weather. Its small, arching stems form a tight, low mound that tucks easily into narrow beds, containers, and foundation plantings, bringing four season foliage color to spots where flowers may be limited. With its compact size, fine texture, and bright flush of new leaves, Squirt Leucothoe adds depth, contrast, and a subtle focal point to shaded and partially shaded garden spaces.

Distinctive Features

Squirt Leucothoe typically grows about 12 to 18 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide, forming a dense, gently arching mound that stays naturally tidy without regular pruning. New foliage emerges in fiery shades of red, copper, and orange along the stems, then settles into rich, glossy green as the season progresses before taking on burgundy highlights when temperatures cool. Narrow, lance shaped leaves are held closely on the stems, creating a layered, slightly cascading look that softens edges along paths, walls, and low foundations. The combination of very compact size, colorful multi season foliage, and graceful habit makes this variety especially useful for small gardens, tight borders, and containers in shade.

Growing Conditions

• Light: Prefers partial shade to bright shade, with morning sun and afternoon shade or dappled light through the day for best foliage color and vigor.
• Soil: Thrives in moist, well drained, acidic soils rich in organic matter; avoid heavy, compacted, or strongly alkaline sites.
• Water: Keep soil evenly moist during the first few seasons; once established, provide consistent moisture, allowing the top of the soil to dry slightly between deep waterings without prolonged drought.
• Hardiness: Suitable for many temperate regions where broadleaf evergreens are grown, especially when sited out of harsh, drying winter winds.
• Size: Forms a compact mound about 12 to 18 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide at maturity, depending on climate and growing conditions.
• Growth Rate: Slow to moderate grower that fills in steadily without overwhelming tight planting spaces or small beds.

Ideal Uses

• Woodland and Shade Borders: Pair with hostas, ferns, and heucheras to add evergreen structure and warm foliage color under trees and along shaded paths.
• Foundation Plantings: Tuck near porches, steps, and low windows where its compact form and colorful foliage soften hard edges and provide four season interest.
• Path and Edge Accents: Plant along shaded walkways, patio edges, and retaining walls so its flowing stems can spill slightly and create a soft transition between hardscape and plantings.
• Small Spaces and Courtyards: Ideal for narrow beds, town gardens, and tight corners where a full size shrub would be too large but evergreen structure is still needed.
• Containers: Grow in shaded or partially shaded containers on patios and covered porches to bring evergreen texture and vivid new growth close to eye level.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Water deeply during dry spells, especially in the first few years, keeping moisture steady but not waterlogged around the root zone.
• Pruning: Needs very little pruning; if shaping is desired, lightly thin or shorten stems after new growth has hardened, preserving the natural arching habit rather than shearing.
• Fertilizing: In early spring, apply a light feeding of an acid forming, slow release fertilizer or top dress with compost to support healthy foliage and root growth.
• Mulching: Maintain a 2 to 3 inch layer of shredded bark or leaf mulch over the root zone to conserve moisture, moderate soil temperature, and protect shallow roots, keeping mulch a few inches away from the stems.
• Seasonal Care: In colder or windy locations, provide some shelter from harsh winter winds and remove any winter damaged stems in early spring to keep plants looking neat and vigorous.

Why Choose Squirt Leucothoe?

• Colorful New Growth: Bright red and orange emerging leaves create eye catching color in spring and early summer, even in shaded beds.
• Year Round Interest: Evergreen foliage shifts from fiery new growth to glossy green and burgundy tones, keeping plantings visually appealing in every season.
• Ultra Compact Size: Small, mounded habit fits perfectly into tight borders, foundation strips, and containers where larger shrubs will not fit.
• Shade Friendly Structure: Provides reliable form and foliage color in partial shade and bright shade where many flowering shrubs struggle.
• Versatile Design Role: Works in woodland, naturalistic, and more formal plantings, serving as a small scale focal point or evergreen anchor wherever you need color and texture in the shade.

With its dwarf, arching habit, fiery multi season foliage, and dependable evergreen presence, Squirt Leucothoe is an excellent choice for adding four season color, structure, and a compact focal point to shaded borders, foundations, slopes, and containers.