Desfontainia spinosa

A fascinating and unusual plant with colourful flowers which can be found growing in the wild in the South American Andes, from Colombia to southern Chile. Desfontainia spinosa has remarkable tubular, scarlet and orange flowers throughout late summer which stand out well against the dark green, glossy leaves.

These flowers are colourful, eye-catching and when not in flower this slow growing, evergreen shrub could be easily mistaken for a holly.

• Position: Sheltered in partial shade.
• Soil: Moist yet well drained, acid, fertile soil. Desfontainia spinosa dislikes and will not grow well in soils which are alkaline or prone to water-logging.
• Hardiness: Reasonably hardy. Desfontainia spinosa requires shelter from cold winter winds.
• Flowering Period: August - October.
• Flower Colour: Scarlet-orange
• Rate of Growth: Slow.
• Habit: Desfontainia spinosa grows to be a small or medium sized, rounded shrub.
  • Height: up to 2 m (6 ft).
  • Spread: 2 m (6 ft).

• Notes: Please be aware that Desfontainia spinosa is a fickle and difficult plant to grow at the best of tines. It can be damaged or killed in the winter, if caught by frost, if planted in a poor position, if disturbed once planted and seeming even just by bad luck. As such, it is not covered by our guarantee.