Desfontainia spinosa
Family - Loganiaceae
Category - Shrub
Origin - The Andes Mountains
Discovered By - Introduced by William Lobb
Year of Introduction - 1843
Season of Interest - Summer, Autumn
Hardiness - H4
Height - up to 2m
Width - up to 2m
Location - The Hot Garden
Description: A medium-sized Evergreen Shrub with a bushy habit and upright branches. Glossy, dark green leaves are oval to ovate in shape with spiny margins. The foliage resembles that of holly. Pendent, tubular flowers are bright orange-red with yellow tips and are produced from midsummer into late autumn.
Award of Garden Merit (AGM)
Synonym - Desfontainia hookeri
Flower:
Solitary, tubular flowers are vivid orange-red with yellow tips. Flowers are pendent and produced from July through November.
Flower colour: Orange, yellow
Flower shape: Solitary, tubular flowers
Flowering time: July, August, September, October, November
Foliage:
Glossy, dark green, holly-like leaves are oval to ovate in shape with spiny margins. The leaves are held in opposite pairs on the branches.
Foliage Senescence: Evergreen
Foliage Shape: Oval to ovate
Propagation:
Seed, cuttings.
Cultivation:
Best in a sheltered position in partial shade in neutral to acidic, moisture-retentive soil.