About

Bartlettina sordida is a dense, rounded shrub that typically reaches a height of around 3 meters. The young branches are adorned with soft, red hairs that persist on the underside of the broad, oval leaves, which are deep green in color. During the winter months, the plant produces clusters of fragrant, fluffy purple blooms.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil type
Loam
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H1B

Plant details

Plant type
Shrubs, Conservatory Greenhouse
Habit
Bushy
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
2.5-4 metres
Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height
5-10 years
Suggested uses
Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical
Native to
Mexico, Guatemala
Fragrance
Flower

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow under glass in peat-free, loam-based compost with added grit and humus, in full light with good ventilation. Keep just moist in winter
Pruning
Pruning group 8; may require restrictive pruning to keep within bounds under glass
Propagation
Propagate by seed, or softwood cuttings, in spring
Pest resistance
Glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite may be a problem
Disease resistance
Usually disease free