Sparrmannia africana

RHS Plant Profile

African hemp

RHS 2002

Other common names

house lime, stock rose

Conservatory Greenhouse Shrubs

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A vigorous evergreen shrub to 6m or more, with large, broadly ovate, shallowly lobed leaves and clusters of white flowers 3.5cm across, with red and yellow stamens

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 2.5-4 metres
Max Height: 4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

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

Position

Full sun

Aspect: East–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): H1C

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Malvaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs): Skin irritant - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Sparrmannia are large evergreen shrubs or small trees, with simple or palmately lobed, ovate leaves and umbels of 4-petalled, white or purple flowers with prominent stamens
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: South Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in peat-free, loam-based compost in full light. Grow outdoors in moist but well-drained soil in sheltered frost-free area

Propagation

Propagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants

Pruning

Pruning group 9

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

Generally disease-free