About
Mutisia decurrens, the decurrent mutisia, is a rhizomatous sub-shrub with winged, climbing stems bearing oblong, entire or toothed, dark-green leaves ending in a forked tendril. Bright-orange, daisy-like flowerheads to 12 cm across are produced in summer. A dramatic and rewarding climbing plant for a sheltered, sunny, frost-free garden.
About the genus
Mutisia are evergreen climbing perennials or shrubs from South America with simple to pinnate leaves, often with a terminal tendril, and showy, daisy-like flowerheads in the leaf axils. Grown in sheltered, sunny, frost-free gardens.
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitMatforming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Patio and container plants
Native toChatham Islands
Care notes
CultivationCan be grown under glass in peat-free, loam-based compost in bright filtered light. Apply a balanced fertiliser based on seaweed, once a month in the growing season and water freely. Outside, grow in a gritty, moist, well-drained soil with a mulch of seaweed if possible. Light shade and shelter from drying winds are the ideal conditions
PruningDeadhead as flowers fade
PropagationPropagate by seed, under glass in autumn as soon as ripe. Can also be propagated by division in spring
Pest resistanceSlugs can be a problem
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free