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Shrubs

Gomphostigma virgatum

otter bush

A large, arching shrub to 2.5m with silvery-grey stems and narrow, silvery, willow-like leaves. Small, white flowers are produced in graceful sprays over a long period from early summer to mid-autumn

Other common names

otterbossie

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Ultimate height

1.5–2.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

1.5–2.5 metres

Clay

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or North–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or 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: Scrophulariaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Gomphostigma are evergreen shrubs with narrow, stemless leaves and small, white, four-petalled flowers in small clusters
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Southern Africa

How to grow

Cultivation

Tolerates most positions but does best in moist, heavy soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings or by layering

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 6

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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