About

Cantua buxifolia is an upright, semi-climbing evergreen shrub. During the spring season, it produces clusters of drooping tubular blossoms that range in color from pink to purple, featuring red lobes on the petals.

About the genus

Cantua consists of evergreen shrubs or small trees characterized by their arching or scrambling branches. The plants produce prominent terminal corymbs featuring narrow, tubular flowers that have five spreading lobes, available in various colors.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun
Soil type
Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
West-facing, South-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H3

Plant details

Plant type
Climber Wall Shrub, Conservatory Greenhouse
Habit
Columnar upright
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
2.5-4 metres
Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height
2-5 years
Suggested uses
City and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Mediterranean climate plants
Native to
Andes of Bolivia, Peru & Chile

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow under glass in peat-free, loam-based compost in full light. Plants may be stood outdoors for the summer. In frost-free areas grow in a warm, sheltered position in full sun. The long, flexible stems will need support
Pruning
Pruning group 11, after flowering
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in heat in spring, or by semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free