Colletia hystrix
bristly colletia
An almost leafless bushy shrub to 3m tall and wide, the grey-green stems bearing many sharp, rigid spines to 4cm long; tiny, fragrant white flowers open in small clusters on the spines in late summer and early autumn
Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | |||
| Autumn | White | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Rhamnaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Colletia are spiny deciduous shrubs with sparse leaves and small, fragrant, tubular flowers in late summer or autumn
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- S Chile, Argentina
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun, sheltered from cold, dry winds
Propagation
Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings of short sideshoots in late summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Patio and container plants
- Architectural
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Banks and slopes
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Pruning group 1; can tolerate moderately hard pruning
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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