Plant Care Guides / Outdoor & Coastal / Large shrubs and feature plants
Exotic (South American) | Moderate Care | Large shrubs and feature plants
The glory bush is one of those plants that stops people in their tracks when it is in flower. It produces large, velvety, deep violet-purple flowers with prominent stamens over a long season from late summer into early winter, and the soft, green, prominently veined leaves are attractive in their own right.
It is a semi-evergreen shrub that does well in the mild, frost-free conditions of St Francis Bay, and it handles some coastal exposure, though it prefers a little shelter from the harshest winds. It is not fully drought-hardy and needs richer soil and more regular watering than the tougher indigenous shrubs, which puts it in the moderate category. But for sheer flower power in a sunny to semi-shaded position, it is hard to beat.
1.5 to 2.5 m tall and about 1.5 m wide.
Moderate to fast.
Feature shrub, colour bed, mixed border, container, courtyard. A real showpiece when in flower.
Full sun to semi-shade. Flowers best with at least a few hours of direct sun.
Rich, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Add plenty of compost when planting. It does not enjoy poor, dry, sandy soil without amendment.
Water regularly through the growing season. It is not drought-tolerant and needs consistent moisture to flower well. Reduce in winter but keep the soil from drying out completely.
Feed in spring with a balanced fertiliser and again in midsummer to support flowering.
Prune lightly after flowering to keep it compact, and more heavily in spring to control shape and encourage bushy new growth. Without pruning it gets leggy and open. Pinch tips on young plants to promote branching.
Ask about availability. WhatsApp us to check what is currently in stock, or visit the nursery and we will help you choose the right plant for your spot.
