Botanical Name: Mackaya bella
Common Name: Forest Bell Bush

 

Use: Outdoors
Indigenous/Exotic : Indigenous
Evergreen/Deciduous : Evergreen
Plant Type : Shrub
Flower Colour : Light mauve
Foliage Colour : Green
Best Season :Spring
Light : Semi-shade
Hardiness : Semi hardy
Attributes : Attracts butterflies
Height (m) : 3 - 4
Spread (m) : 1.5 - 2
    
Notes : Genus of one species. The glossy, dark leaves are large and and neatly serrated. The trumpet-shaped flowers are a very pale mauve, striped with purple inside. They appear in profusion in Spring. Under good conditions, this rewarding shrub will continue to flower on and off almost throughout the whole year. Growth is fast, and flowering occurs at two years. It enjoys a warm Summer provided that the rainfall is high. It prefers partial shade, so always plant on the south side. This shrub has little frost tolerance but if protected by established trees this shouldn't be a problem. Can be grown in a large container. Prefers light, moist, but well-drained soil, with plenty of compost. Pinch out the growing tips of young plants to encourage bushiness. Not suited to dry inland areas. In cultivation, Mackaya is easily grown from hardwood cuttings in Spring or Autumn.