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BeddingConservatory Greenhouse

Plectranthus ambiguus

pincushion spurflower

An evergreen perennial with with aromatic toothed and veined hairy green foliage and upright spikes of small, tubular, two-lipped pink-purple flowers appearing in early autumn. Good for ground cover in shady areas

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or West–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)

Botanical details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Plectranthus can be annuals, evergreen perennials or shrubs, with opposite, ovate or heart-shaped, sometimes fleshy leaves, and 2-lipped, tubular flowers borne in whorls forming spikes or panicles
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Southern Africa

How to grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in eat-free, loam-based potting compost with added organic matter in filtered light with shade from hot sun. Water freely in growth and apply a balanced liquid feed monthly

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Bedding
Conservatory and greenhouse
Ground cover

Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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