Coleonema pulchellum

RHS Plant Profile

confetti bush

RHS

Synonyms

Coleonema pulchrum misapplied
Diosma ericoides misapplied

Shrubs

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A free-branching shrub, upright then spreading with linear bright green leaves 2-4cm long. It bears red or pink flowers around 1cm across with reflexed petals and darker eyes, from late spring to summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid

Position

Full sun

Aspect: 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): H3
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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
Plant Range: South Africa, S Cape

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
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Gravel garden

Pruning

Pruning group 10 after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to Phytophthora root rot