Colquhounia coccinea

RHS Plant Profile

scarlet-flowered colquhounia

RHS 1999

Conservatory Greenhouse Shrubs

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An evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub to 2.5m, with lance-shaped leaves white-downy beneath, and orange or scarlet flowers 2.5cm long, in dense terminal spikes in late summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: West–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): H4

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Colquhounia are evergreen shrubs with simple, aromatic leaves and colourful tubular flowers in dense spikes at the ends of the branches
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: E Himalaya to SW China

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun, sheltered from cold, dry winds. The top growth may be damaged by hard frost but it will usually re-sprout from the base. Provide deep dry, winter mulch - see also winter protection

Propagation

Take softwood cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Mediterranean climate plants
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 6 in spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free