Drosera capensis narrow-leaved

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narrow-leaved Cape Colony sundew

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Drosera capensis is a clumping, perennial carnivorous plant, to 15cm in height producing basal rosettes of linear-oblong to spoon-shaped leaves, 3 - 6cm (1½ - 2½ in) long on a short stem. Leaves are green and covered with red, sticky, glandular hairs, which trap and digest insect prey. A red-leaved form is also available in cultivation. Racemes to 30cm (12in) in height, of 6-20, rose-pink flowers 2cm (¾in) across, are produced from spring through to autumn and occasionally into winter

Position

Full shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid

Position

Full shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Droseraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Drosera, commonly known as the sundews are one of the largest genera of carnivorous plants. They are perennial or (more rarely) annual, upright herbaceous plants forming either prostrate or upright rosettes, and can live for up to 50 years.
Name Status
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in a mix of equal parts fertiliser-free peat substitute and sand, in full light, although may need shading from hot midday sun in summer. The compost should be kept continually moist to wet during the growing season by standing the container in a tray of lime-free water, such as rainwater or Reverse Osmosis water. Keep just moist during the winter and do not stand the plants in water. Do not apply fertiliser at all through the year. Minimum temperatures should be no lower than 5C in the winter. In consistently lower temperatures the plant produces overwintering buds called hibernacula at the apex of the old stem, whilst the foliage dies back. When the plant dies back to the roots, it often regenerates again in the spring when the temperatures rise. For further information see Carnivorous plant cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed as soon as ripe. Stored seed rapidly loses viability. Leaf cuttings during the growing season and root cuttings taken when dormant are alternative methods of propagation

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free