Lophomyrtus × ralphii 'Wild Cherry'
A slow-growing, half-hardy, dense and bushy evergreen shrub to 1.2m tall. It is primarily grown for its small, glossy, oval leaves, which are flushed purple-red. In summer, mature plants produce open, cup-shaped white flowers with a prominent boss of stamens; these are followed by blackish-red berries
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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple Red | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Purple Red | ||
| Autumn | Purple Red | Black Red | ||
| Winter | Purple Red |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Myrtaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Lophomyrtus are evergreen shrubs or small trees with simple, leathery leaves, four-petaled flowers with prominent stamens and purple-black to red berries
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in bright, filtered light. In mild areas grow outdoors in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in a sheltered position in partial shade
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe. Root semi-ripe cuttings in summer with bottom heat
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Climber and wall shrubs
- Conservatory and greenhouse
- Wall side borders
Pruning
See pruning group 1; may require restrictive pruning under glass
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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