About
Heimia salicifolia, the willow-leaf heimia, is a bushy, deciduous shrub to 3 m with narrow, willow-like leaves to 5 cm long and small, solitary, yellow flowers to 2.5 cm wide in the leaf axils in summer and early autumn. A graceful and ornamental shrub for a sunny, sheltered, well-drained border in a mild garden.
About the genus
Heimia are deciduous shrubs with small, narrow leaves and yellow, blue or purple, tubular flowers in the leaf axils in summer. Native to tropical and subtropical America.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHNeutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden
Native toS USA, C & S America
Care notes
CultivationOutdoors grow a sheltered spot in full sun and well-drained soil. During the winter the top growth can be killed by frost, but often regenerates from the base. Provide deep dry mulch such as bark or bracken. Under glass grow in containers using peat-free, loam-based compost with added grit or sharp sand. Reduce watering in winter
PruningCut back frost damaged growth in spring
PropagationPropagate by seed or semi-ripe cuttings
Pest resistanceUnder cover can suffer from common glasshouse pests
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free