About
Atraphaxis spinosa is a deciduous shrub that typically reaches heights of up to 60 cm and can spread to about 120 cm in width. Its slender, branching stems frequently feature spines at the tips. The leaves are small, measuring up to 1 cm in length, with a blue-green hue. In the summer, this plant produces clusters of tiny flowers that range in color from white to pink.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy, Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Rock garden
- Native to
- S Europe, SW Asia
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in well-drained soil in a sunny position such as a rock garden or on a stony bank
- Pruning
- Restrict pruning to the removal of branch tips every second or third year in spring to contain spread
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed, by softwood cuttings or by layering
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free