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Shrubs

Coleonema album

An evergreen shrub to around 150cm in height, with small, soft, fragrant needle-like green foliage. Pink buds open to small, starry white flowers on the tips of the branches from late winter to early spring which are attractive to pollinators

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Drought resistance

Yes

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)

Botanical details

Family: Rutaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Coleonema are evergreen shrubs with tiny, needle-like leaves and small, star-shaped flowers. The densely-packed foliage is aromatic
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, moist but free-draining neutral to acid soil in full sun with shelter. In cold areas grow under glass in lime-free (ericaceous) compost in full light with low humidity. Water moderately and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser from spring to autumn; water sparingly in winter

Propagation

Propagate by seed - surface sow seed at 13-16°C in spring or propagate by semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 10 after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to Phytophthora root rot

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