Duranta Golden

Description: A tall, much branched, bushy shrub with axillary spine, about 2.5-3.0 m high. Leaves opposite or whorled, ovate, upper part toothed, 2.0-5.0 cm long, glabrous, about 1.5-3 cm wide. Flowers blue, in loose terminal panicle; corolla tube white and curved, 5 – lobed, 0.8 cm across, longitudinal line of deeper colour in the middle of each lobe. In this species spines are often absent in type with larger leaves.

Gardening: The small, green – leaved type with spines is often grown as hedge and forms an impenetrable barrier. The varieties with variegated leaves are grown in shrubbery and in pots and they are very showy shrubs. Durantas are pruned to maintain good shape.

With the potential to become quite large where they are hardy (some varieties reaching over 15 feet!), these plants make great, quick-growing, warm-season annuals, and can even act as houseplants. Grown primarily for its bountiful blue blooms, many varieties of duranta also have highly ornamental golden foliage.

Planting And Care

• Slow -fertilizers help encourage prolific flowering and fruiting.
• It is important to water frequently while the plant is establishing.
• Some renewal pruning is necessary to keep a nice shape.
• Duranta plants need full light to get the energy they need to make blooms and berries. Plants growing in too much shade get lanky and sparse.

Duranta Green Care

Dig holes or beds wide, not deep. Lightly amend heavy clay or sandy soils with organic matter. Gently remove plants from containers, keeping the root ball intact. Loosen potting soil and roots around bottom and edges of the root ball. Level plant with the surrounding soil, spreading roots outward. Fill roots around with lightly amended native soil.
Water to settle soil around roots. Cover the area with leaf or bark mulch 1 – 3 inches thick but not piled up onto the plant s stem/trunk Water deeply. Stake large shrubs or trees to prevent excess movement in strong winds.