This is an attractive evergreen shrub which originates from Bolivia and has been stocked by the nursery for the last few years although it is very much a rarity in UK gardens.
Despite its origins we have not found it to be tender although it needs a sheltered spot from cold winds and a warm sunny location where it forms a mounded shrub of 4-6ft in height and width with us. The stems have a purplish hue and the long lanceolate leaves have a decidedly leathery appearance. A bit like Cleyera japonica perhaps.
You need to look for the flowers which appear as tiny, verbena-like, drooping spikes in mid-summer. The flowers are lilac in colour and highly fragrant. It is easiest to appreciate the flowers if this plant is grown on top of a bank so that they can be viewed from below.
As with most evergreens of this sort propagation from cuttings is best undertaken in the autumn on a heated mist bench. We have not yet seen our stock plant set seed.
