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DESFONTAINEA spinosa
Commonly known as Chilean holly
Red tubular flowers tipped yellow hang amidst glossy green, holly-like leaves from midsummer to late autumn
Further Reading....
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Evergreensmooth, spiny, dark-green leaves to 6cm (2½in) long.
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RedRed and yellow tipped -
HeightTo 2m (6½ft) -
SpreadTo 2m (6½ft)
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Medium shrubTypically grow to around 4-6 feet in heightDense, bushy shrub. Produces pendent flowers from the upper leaf axils.
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Half hardy - unheated greenhouse / mild winterHardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK except in severe winters and a risk from sudden (early) frosts. May be hardy elsewhere with wall shelter or good micro-climate. Likely to be damaged or killed in cold winters. Plant can withstand temperatures down to -5°C (23°F) -
Full shadeTo dappled shade
DESFONTAINEA spinosa
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Additional Features
Good to knowIntroduced by Cornish plant hunter William Lobb in the mid 1800s
Pests & DiseasesNone
Place of originAndes (from Colombia to Straits of Magellan)Resistant to honey fungusThese plants have little or few problems with honey fungus. -
Flower ShapeTubularTo 4cm (1½in) long
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Garden Location/ConditionsBorderSuitable for a moist border
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HardinessFrost hardy (down to -5)
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Leaf shape
Ovate(see photos above) -
Pruning group
Pruning group 6Suitable for: Evergreen shrubs or climbers that need little to no pruning.
Action: Trim back shoots that spoil symmetry and to fit available space.
When: Annually after flowering if on previous year's growth, or in later Winter or Spring if flowering on current year's growth, or as requires.
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Seasonal InterestAutumnSpringSummerWinter
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Soil ConditionsAcid / ericaceous lovingPeaty, moist soil
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Desfontanea - Growing Guide
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to 2m (6½ft)
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to 2m (6½ft) |
Useful extras...
Fertilisers & Feeds - Vitax
Q4 Pelleted Fertiliser
A useful fertiliser suitable for use on a wide variety of plants. Q4 provides all the nutrients and trace elements essential for vigorous growth, abundant flowering and ripening of fruit.
3 options from £6.00
Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Afterplant - Grow Your Own
AFTER PLANT GROW YOUR OWN seaweed is ready to use liquid concentrate that was specially formulated be used on all edible plants.
Only £8.00
Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Afterplant - Tomatoes
AFTER PLANT TOMATO FEED Liquid Concentrate with Bio stimulant is a high potash liquid concentrate containing seaweed extract, plant derived amino acids and other nutrients specifically formulated to benefit tomatoes and greenhouse plants.
Only £8.00
Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi
Recommended by the RHS. Contains Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi. Suitable for all trees and shrubs (except rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers, cranberries and blueberries)
3 options from £3.00
Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Rootgrow Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi
This specially adapted Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi will boost the growth of acid-loving plants like rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers and blueberries.
It contains ericoid and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which are found in poor acidic soils where ericaceous plants naturally grow.
Only £7.50
Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
All-purpose Seaweed Stimulant
All-purpose organic concentrated seaweed feed that is a ready to use, derived from sustainable harvested kelp, that can be used on all outdoor and indoor plants, except acid loving plants.
Perfect used in conjunction with Rootgrow™.
Only £7.50
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