Rhaphithamnus spinosus

RHS Plant Profile
prickly myrtle

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Rhaphithamnus spinosus?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants

Synonyms

Citharexylum cyanocarpum
Rhaphithamnus cyanocarpus

Shrubs
Buy this from Plant Nurseries
7 Suppliers

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

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

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)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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