Mackaya bella

RHS Plant Profile
forest bell bush

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forest bell bush RHS

Synonyms

Asystasia bella

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A spreading evergreen shrub to 1.5m tall, with glossy, deep green leaves and racemes of slightly 2-lipped, funnel-shaped pale lilac flowers 5cm across, finely veined with purple

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–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)
H1B

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Acanthaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Mackaya are evergreen shrubs with simple, elliptic leaves and terminal racemes of showy funnel-shaped flowers over a long period from srping to autumn
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Temp S Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost in bright filtered light, or full light with shade from hot sun. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly

Propagation

Propagate by seed or semi-ripe cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

Prune to restrict growth under glass in late winter

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

Generally disease-free