Desfontainia spinosa

RHS Plant Profile

spiny desfontainia

RHS 2002

Synonyms

Desfontainia hookeri
Desfontainia spinosa f. hookeri

Shrubs

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A slow-growing, erect, medium-sized evergreen shrub with small, spiny, holly-like dark green leaves and bright scarlet flowers to 4cm in length, the lobes tipped with yellow

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or East–facing or West–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): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Columelliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Desfontainia are evergreen shrubs with leathery, holly-like, spiny leaves and pendent, solitary tubular flowers in summer and autumn
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Andes

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a lime-free, moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in a sheltered position in partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings or by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Prairie planting
Low Maintenance
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 9

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free