About

Colletia paradoxa is a rounded deciduous shrub that can reach heights of up to 3 meters. Its stems are adorned with numerous flattened, triangular spines that have a blue-green hue. In autumn, the plant produces small clusters of fragrant white flowers.

About the genus

Colletia consists of spiny, deciduous shrubs that feature sparse foliage and produce small, tubular flowers with a pleasant fragrance, typically blooming in late summer or autumn.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun
Soil type
Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Well-drained
Aspect
South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H4

Plant details

Plant type
Shrubs
Habit
Bushy
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
2.5-4 metres
Spread
2.5-4 metres
Time to full height
10-20 years
Suggested uses
City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Mediterranean climate plants, Architectural
Native to
Argentina, S Brazil
Fragrance
Flower

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in a sheltered border or against a warm, sunny wall, or in a cool greenhouse
Pruning
Pruning group 1: tip prune young plants to promote bushiness. Tolerates moderately hard pruning
Propagation
Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings of short sideshoots in late summer
Pest resistance
Generally pest-free
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free