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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 -
Height - 2-4m (6½-13ft) -
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) -
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 -
Place of origin - Chile, Argentina -
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
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2-4m (6½-13ft)
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1.5-2m (5-6½ft) |
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