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Burncoose Nurseries - part of the Caerhays Estate
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  • DESFONTAINEA spinosa
    DESFONTAINEA spinosa
    © Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only.
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    DESFONTAINEA spinosa  DESFONTAINEA spinosa  DESFONTAINEA spinosa  DESFONTAINEA spinosa
    >

    DESFONTAINEA spinosa

    Commonly known as Chilean holly

     AWARD
    Red tubular flowers tipped yellow hang amidst glossy green, holly-like leaves from midsummer to late autumn
    plant size comparison icon
    2 to 3 Litre   - Click to view photo
    Delivery Information
    Available late spring to early summer 2026
    £27.50 each 
    Available late spring to early summer 2026 - Spring according to the Met Office is defined as March 1st - May 31st. Therefore late spring is mid-April onwards. This is not a guaranteed date but an estimate and subject to availability.
     
    Full Plant Details - Sun/Soil & other attributes
    • Flowering
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      Jan
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      Feb
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      Mar
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      Apr
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      May
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      Jun
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      Jul
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      Aug
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      Sep
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      Oct
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      Nov
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      Dec
    • Good to know
      Introduced by Cornish plant hunter William Lobb in the mid 1800s
    • Pests & Diseases
      None
    • Place of origin
      Andes (from Colombia to Straits of Magellan)
    • Resistant to honey fungus
      These plants have little or few problems with honey fungus.
    • Evergreen
      smooth, spiny, dark-green leaves to 6cm (2½in) long.
    • Red
      Red and yellow tipped
    • Tubular
      To 4cm (1½in) long
    • Border
      Suitable for a moist border
    • Frost hardy (down to -5)
    • Ovate
    • Height
      To 2m (6½ft)
    • Spread
      To 2m (6½ft)
    • Medium shrub
      Typically grow to around 4-6 feet in height
      Dense, bushy shrub. Produces pendent flowers from the upper leaf axils.
    • Pruning group 6
      Suitable for: Evergreen shrubs or climbers that need little to no pruning.
      Action: Trim back shoots that spoil symmetry and to fit available space.
      When: Annually after flowering if on previous year's growth, or in later Winter or Spring if flowering on current year's growth, or as requires.

    • Half hardy - unheated greenhouse / mild winter
      Hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK except in severe winters and a risk from sudden (early) frosts. May be hardy elsewhere with wall shelter or good micro-climate. Likely to be damaged or killed in cold winters. Plant can withstand temperatures down to -5°C (23°F)
    • Autumn Seasonal Interest
    • Spring Seasonal Interest
    • Summer Seasonal Interest
    • Winter Seasonal Interest
    • Acid / ericaceous loving
      Peaty, moist soil
    • Full shade
      To dappled shade
    • Mature Size
      to 2m (6½ft)
      Medium Shrub - guide for size not form Average Person
        to 2m (6½ft)
       
    View Planting Tips and Care Advice
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    Useful extras...

    Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
    Creates a mini-meadow for attracting bees, butterflies and bugs to your garden. 200g sachet which will cover 3 square metres. Contains Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi.
    3m²
    £7.00
    10m²
    £15.50
    Fertilisers & Feeds - Vitax
    Improves vegetable, fruit and flower quality. Blood, Fish and Bone contains three major nutrients essential for strong and healthy growth.
    1.5 kg
    £6.50
    Fertilisers & Feeds - Vitax
    A useful fertiliser suitable for use on a wide variety of plants. Q4 provides all the nutrients and trace elements essential for vigorous growth, abundant flowering and ripening of fruit.
    0.9 kg
    £6.00
    Unavailable
    2.5 kg
    £13.00
    Unavailable
    4.5 kg
    £25.00
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