Dregea sinensis

RHS Plant Profile
Chinese dregea

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Other common names

watakaka, wattakaka

Synonyms

Wattakaka sinensis

Climber Wall Shrub
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A climber with leaves grey-hairy beneath and hoya-like, creamy-white flowers, speckled with purple within, sometimes followed by paired, bean-like seed pods

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
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)
H3

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Apocynaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Climbing
Genus
Dregea are evergreen shrubs with twining stems and opposite, ovate leaves and umbels of small, very fragrant flowers
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
China

How to Grow

Cultivation

Ideal for a warm but not hot, sheltered position in mild areas or grow in a cool greenhouse or conservatory. It thrives in well-drained soil or compost.

Propagation

Propagate by seed or basal stem cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 11, after flowering; remove dead wood in early spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free