Grewia occidentalis

RHS Plant Profile
African starbush

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African starbush RHS

Synonyms

Grewia afra misapplied

Climber Wall Shrub Trees Conservatory Greenhouse Shrubs
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A shrub, climber or small tree, with slender branches and evergreen leaves. In summer it bears small clusters of purplish-pink, star-shaped flowers, 3.5cm across, followed by fleshy, four-lobed, yellowish-orange then purple fruit

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
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)
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Malvaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Grewia are deciduous or evergreen trees, shrubs and climbers with simple leaves and star-shaped, five-petalled flowers
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Temp S Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 16°C, or by layering, in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

Pruning group 1, but may need restrictive pruning under glass

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

Generally disease-free