Lophomyrtus × ralphii 'Kathryn'
A half-hardy, rounded, evergreen shrub to 2m tall, primarily grown for its foliage. The small, glossy oval leaves are flushed purple and blistered between the veins. In summer, mature plants produce open, cup-shaped white flowers with a prominent boss of stamens; these are followed by blackish-red berries
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Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green Purple | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | White | Green Purple | ||
Autumn | Green Purple | Black Red | ||
Winter | Green Purple |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or °Â±ð²õ³Ù–f²¹³¦¾±²Ô²µ
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Myrtaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Lophomyrtus are evergreen shrubs or small trees with simple, leathery leaves, four-petaled flowers with prominent stamens and purple-black to red berries
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in bright, filtered light. During the growing season, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. Water sparingly in winter. Outdoors, grow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in partial shade, with the protection of a warm wall
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe. Root semi-ripe cuttings in summer with bottom heat
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Climber and wall shrubs
- Conservatory and greenhouse
- Wall side borders
Pruning
See pruning group 1; may require restrictive pruning under glass
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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