| Botanical Name |
Plectranthus species unknown 1 |
| Family |
Lamiaceae - The mint and salvia family |
| Pronunciation |
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| Common Name(s) |
English: Plectranthus; Spur flower
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| Plant Group |
- Shrub A woody plant of relatively low height, having several stems arising from the base and lacking a single trunk; a bush.
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| Plant Size |
- Small to Medium
| Tree | 8m to 15m |
| Shrub | 75cm to 1m |
| Perennial/ground cover | 20cm to 40cm |
| Bulb | 30cm to 40cm |
| Succulent | 20cm to 40cm |
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| Position |
- Canopy Shade Canopy shade is found below closely grown trees where some light filters through. Ideal for the protection of herbaceous plants.
- Dry Shade Shady areas where soil has poor water retention or are dependent on rain for their moisture needs.
- Light or Dappled Shade Found below trees with sparse, open foliage. Ideal for the protection of herbaceous plants.
- Partial Shade The area is in shade for part of the day and in full sun for part of the day.
- Sun The area is in full sun for all or most of the day, all year round.
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| General Information |
- Drought Tolerance: High The plant is well adapted to arid conditions; it can survive long periods of drought and high temperatures without extra water.
- Evergreen Plants that have leaves all year round.
- Fragrant / Aromatic These plants posses a strong, usually pleasant odour.
- Frost: Tender A plant that will not survive any frost or low winter temperatures.
- Prune hard after flowering Fast growing shrubs that grow lanky within a season. Cut off branches and stems of these plants to a third of their original length. This will increase the yield of flowers, improve the plants shape and enhance the structural strength of main branches.
- Water Wise Plant species originating from low rainfall regions that require less water to survive and thrive than other plant species.
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| Specific Information |
I bought this plectranthus at a botanical society sale, but I have not been able to place it. I have a notion, based on its size and vigour, that it could be Madagascan. Can anybody clarify? The information I have is part observation, part guesswork. The plant makes a definite shrub and the flowers are exceptionally long- lasting.
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| Flowers |
| Description |
spur flowers on thick, long stems.
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| Season |
- Autumn to Winter Plants will seldom bloom for the entire season as given in the list, but should flower during a period within these parameters.
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| Colour |
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| Growth Rate |
- Very Fast Specifying growth rate can be very misleading as there is considerable variation of growth rate depending on type and species of plant, available water, supplementary feeding, mulching and general care, as well as the plants suitability and adaptability to the garden environment.
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| Plant Uses |
- Attracts bees, butterflies or other insects This plant attracts insects which can be food for birds or other creatures in your garden.
- Border A strip of ground, at the edge of a driveway or path in which ornamental plants or shrubs are planted.
- Container Trees, shrubs and ornamental species that can adapt to growing in a restricted environment.
- Filler Either a fast growing tree or shrub used temporarily to fill in an area while the permanent plants grow to a desired size, or a plant used to fill gaps in borders or beds.
- Suitable for coastal gardens Plants adapted to dry, sandy soil, forceful wind, limited rainfall and intense sunlight.
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| Distribution and Habitat |
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| Planting Suggestions |
This plectranthus will grow and flower with the most meager feeding, but for quick, lush growth and a profusion of flowers, it is worthwhile giving the plants a strong start. Plant in well-drained loam or sandy soil with the addition of compost and fertiliser according to your soil needs. Mulch thickly to retain water. The plant is water wise and only needs an occasional sprinkling. Frequent tipping is necessary to keep the plants compact and bushy. Prune back hard after flowering during midwinter. I planted it in a sunny position amongst other plants of similar size and it has grown and flowered vigorously.
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| Medicinal Uses |
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Comments
growing this plectranthus in Madeira
Dear Lorraine, On the island of Madeira are many people that lived for years in S.A. Some brought some plants and flowers fromS.A. A lady gave me this plant e few months ago and it flowers for ages! She too did not know the exact name. Any idea? Did someone answer you about the name. Many thanks. "Take good care of the garden..."!!! Emke
Plectranthus ummm?
Hi Emke
I sent a query to a botanical specialist just last week and am waiting for a reply. If he is able to identify it, I will let you know.
Thanks for your query. I have always had the impression (from photos) that Madeira is such a beautiful place - always green and full of flowers. Is this just selective photography? A friend of mine has a magnificent plant called Pride of Madeira - really beautiful.
Kind regards
Lorraine
Spur Flowers
Plectranthus neochilus
Schltr.
Family: Lamiaceae
Common name: spur flower
This is from www.plantzafrica.com
Not neochilus
Hi Anton
Thanks for trying.
I have P. neochilus in my garden as well and this plant is very different. The leaves are bright green compared to those of P. neochilus which have a grey bloom, they are much much bigger, a great deal thicker and smell far more aromatic and pleasant. The The flowers are on very long branched stems stems of up to 40 cm and are not densely packed along the stalk, but spread out. The individual flowers are also not partially enclosed by the calyx. The whole growth pattern also differs greatly. P. neochillus grows low to the ground with single stems arising from a central base, while this Plectranthus has branching woody stems up to knee height. When in flower the plants are over a meter tall compared to the 30 cm of P Neochilus - see picture 5 above.
Kind regards
Lorraine
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