About
A slow-growing, erect, medium-sized evergreen shrub with small, spiny, holly-like dark green leaves and bright scarlet flowers to 4cm in length, the lobes tipped with yellow.
About the genus
Desfontainia are evergreen shrubs with leathery, holly-like, spiny leaves and pendent, solitary tubular flowers in summer and autumn
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Prairie planting
Native toAndes
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a lime-free, moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in a sheltered position in partial shade
PruningPruning group 9
PropagationPropagate by semi-hardwood cuttings or by seed
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free