Overview

Mutisia coccinea is a climbing climber wall shrub in the genus Mutisia, part of the Asteraceae family, with evergreen foliage. Mutisia coccinea grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H3. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, climber and wall shrubs and conservatory and greenhouse.

About

Mutisia coccinea is an evergreen climbing wall shrub in the Asteraceae that is grown for its summer flowering display. It climbs readily and can be trained on trellis or allowed to scramble over structures. Flowering occurs from July to September. It favours a sheltered position in full sun or partial shade and benefits from moist but well-drained soil.

About the genus

Mutisia is a genus of flowering plant in the tribe Mutisieae within the family Asteraceae. Mutisia has been named after José Celestino Mutis. It comprises about sixty species which can be found along the entire length of the Andes and in southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and northern Argentina.

Wikipedia contributors, "Mutisia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Mutisia

In the garden

Mutisia coccinea is an evergreen climber in the daisy family, used where a wall or structure needs leafy, flowering cover. It flowers from July to September, making its main display in mid to late summer. As a climbing habit it suits training on trellis, walls or strong supports and can also be grown in large containers placed against a warm wall or within a conservatory. Position in full sun or partial shade and choose a spot with some shelter from prevailing winds; exposure should be sheltered to avoid winter damage. It accepts a wide range of soils — chalk, clay, loam or sand — and tolerates acid, neutral or alkaline pH, but requires consistently moist yet well-drained conditions. Hardiness is H3 (borderline), so planting against a south- or west-facing wall or keeping plants in a greenhouse or conservatory will reduce the need for winter protection in cooler UK locations. This plant fits city courtyards, cottage or informal gardens, and purpose-built climber areas where a sheltered display is possible. Train young shoots on supports to establish a neat framework, and use containers moved under cover in severe winters to preserve growth and flowering into the following season.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Mutisia

Sunlight

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil type

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

Aspect

East-facing, South-facing, West-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H3

Plant details

Mutisia coccinea size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Climber Wall Shrub

Habit

Climbing

Foliage

Evergreen

Suggested uses

City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Climber and wall shrubs, Conservatory and greenhouse

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Mutisia coccinea

Propagation

Cuttings, Seed, Layering

Pest resistance

Generally pest-free

Disease resistance

Generally disease-free

Frequently asked questions