Plants by mail order since 1984, over 4100 plants online today!
6th January 2021. In line with the current government lockdown rules, Burncoose Nurseries is closed to visitors. However at present we are able to offer click and collect to local customers. This will be weekdays only, not weekends.
Mail order is continuing as normal. However please allow extra time for the couriers to deliver, once despatched from us. Sorry to say that some depots are experiencing high volumes of traffic, also staff shortages.
RHAPHITAMNUS spinosus
A Chilean plant which ressembles a myrtle but has needle-like spines also. Small tubular pale blue flowers in April and deep blue berries which rather make up for the prickles
Further Reading....
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Evergreen - elleptic, leathery, glossy, bright green leaves to 4cm (1½in) long with short-pointed tips and rounded to heart-shaped bases. Terminal leaves often turn bronze-purple in winter
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Blue - pale blue
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Height - 2-4m (6½-13ft)
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Spread - 1.5-2m (5-6½ft)
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Tall Shrub - densely branched shrub with shoots armed at the nodes with 1-3 sharp, thin spines to 4cm (1½in) long. 5-lobed flowers, to 1cm (½in) long, are produced mainly from the leaf axils.
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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)
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Against a wall - prefers a warm, sheltered wall
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Additional Features - Berries - These plants have berries.
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Pests & Diseases - none
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Place of origin - Chile, Argentina
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Flower Shape - Racemes -
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Hardiness - Frost hardy (down to -5) -
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Pruning group - Pruning group 5
Suitable for: Evergreen shrubs that require minimal pruning.
Action: Trim or lightly cut back shoots that spoil symmetry. Deadhead regularly.
When: Annually after flowering.
RHS group 8 -
Seasonal Interest - Spring -
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Soil Conditions - Fertile moist well-drained soil -
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Neutral to acid soil
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Rhaphithamnus spinosus - Growing Guide
2-4m (6½-13ft)
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1.5-2m (5-6½ft) |
Useful extras...

Fertilisers & Feeds - Vitax
Q4 Pelleted Fertiliser
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.
3 options from £6.00

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi
Recommended by the RHS. Contains Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi. Suitable for all trees and shrubs (except rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers, cranberries and blueberries)
2 options from £6.00

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
All-purpose Seaweed Stimulant
All-purpose organic concentrated seaweed feed that is a ready to use, derived from sustainable harvested kelp, that can be used on all outdoor and indoor plants, except acid loving plants.
Perfect used in conjunction with Rootgrow™.
Only £7.50