Gynura aurantiaca 'Purple Passion'
velvet plant 'Purple Passion'
A sprawling, woody-based, evergreen perennial to about 1m tall, though it can reach 3m if supported. The dark green leaves and stems are clothed in bright purple hairs, especially on the undersides. The thistle-like flowers are egg-yolk yellow, with a purple calyx, appearing mostly in winter
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Purple | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Purple | |||
| Autumn | Green Purple | |||
| Winter | Purple Yellow | Green Purple |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1BBotanical details
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Climbing
- Genus
Gynura are evergreen perennials and sub-shrubs, some scrambling or trailing, with toothed leaves. The orange or yellow flowers have no ray florets
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow indoors in a loam-based potting compost in bright, filtered light. Train up a support, or pinch out shoots to keep more compact and encourage new shoots
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings in late spring, or semi-ripe cuttings in summer, both with bottom heat
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Houseplants
- Patio and container plants
- Sub-tropical
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required. Cut back in spring or summer if plant becomes too large
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids and glasshouse red spider mite
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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