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Conservatory Greenhouse

Rotheca myricoides 'Ugandense'

butterfly bush 'Ugandense'

A scrambling evergreen shrub with elliptic or obovate leaves and terminal panicles of pale blue flowers with dark violet lower petal and long-exserted stamens in summer and autumn

Other common names
butterfly bush
Oxford and Cambridge bush
Synonyms
Clerodendrum myricoides 'Ugandense'
Clerodendrum ugandense

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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
1.5–2.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Blue Green
Autumn Blue Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1B
Botanical details
Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Climbing
Genus

Rotheca is a genus of shrubs, sub-shrubs and perennial herbs, often with an unpleasant smell when crushed. Flowers are almost butterfly shaped, hence its common name of Butterfly Bush. Flowers can be a mixture of white, blues, pinks and purples.

Name status

Accepted

Plant range
Trop. Africa

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light with shade from hot sun and good ventilation in the summer. Water freely in growth and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. Water sparingly in winter

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer or root cuttings in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
Pruning

Pruning group 11

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, mealybugs and glasshouse whitefly

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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