Dodonaea viscosa 'Purpurea'

RHS Plant Profile
hop bush 'Purpurea'
Shrubs Trees

An evergreen, variable shrub or small tree to 5m tall. Wavy-margined, elliptic to oblong leaves up to 13cm long are a deep reddish-purple. Insignificant summer flowers are followed by pinkish-red winged fruits

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Sapindaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Dodonaea are evergreen dioecious shrubs with simple or pinnate, needle-like to ovate leaves and insignificant flowers followed on female plants by membranous angled or winged fruits
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

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

Propagation

Propagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Sub-tropical
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Pruning group 1; pinch out tips of young shoots to encourage bushy growth

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly under glass

Diseases

Generally disease-free