About
A half-hardy shrub or small tree, evergreen if grown under glass, normally deciduous outdoors. The leaves are downy and the trumpet-shaped, hanging flowers are an unusual, dark lavender-blue.
About the genus
Eriolarynx is a diverse genus of plants that may be annual, perennial, or woody. Species are cultivated for their flowers, foliage, or architectural habit and are adapted to various climatic conditions
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Shrubs, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical, Mediterranean climate plants
Native toBolivia to Argentina
ToxicityIngestion may cause severe discomfort. Wear gloves and wash hands after handling
Care notes
CultivationMay survive outdoors in mild areas in free-draining soil in a warm, sheltered position. Otherwise grow in an unheated greenhouse in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in bright to moderate filtered light. Pinch young plants to encourage bushiness. Good in a patio pot taken in for winter
PruningPruning group 9, or pruning group 12 as a wall shrub. Plants grown under glass may need restrictive pruning in late winter
PropagationPropagate by seed sown at 15°C in spring, or by softwood cuttings in late spring, or semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly indoors
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free