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Shrubs

Rhaphithamnus spinosus

prickly myrtle

A half-hardy, densely-branched, spreading evergreen shrub to 2m tall, armed along the shoots with long, thin spines. The sharp-pointed leaves are leathery and glossy. Pale blue, 5-lobed, tubular flowers to 1cm long are borne in early spring; these are followed by spherical, fleshy, violet- blue berries

Synonyms

Citharexylum cyanocarpum
Rhaphithamnus cyanocarpus

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Ultimate height

1.5–2.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–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)

Botanical details

Family: Verbenaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: A genus of evergreen shrubs, similar to the myrtle family in looks, with a dense habit, attractive trumpet-shaped blue flowers, purple edible fruit and needle-like spines to be wary of
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Chile

How to grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in ericaceous potting compost with additional leafmould, in bright, filtered light. When in growth, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly; water sparingly in winter. Outdoors grow in acid to neutral, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade, preferably against a warm wall

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe. Protect germinating seedling from frost. Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Mediterranean climate plants
Conservatory and greenhouse
Wall side borders

Pruning

See pruning group 8

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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