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Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender'
Plectranthus ‘ Mona Lavender’
(Indigenous to South Africa)
Plectranthus
is the largest South African genus of plants belonging to the
mint family (Lamiaceae). There are many Plectranthus species (around
44) that are currently used as ornamental herbaceous plants
throughout the world’s gardens. They come in a number of shapes and
colours ranging from white, pink to dark mauves, and lavenders.
The ‘Mona Lavender”
is a hybrid developed in the 1990’s at Kirstenbosch Botanical
Gardens. It has since become a hit around the world.
‘Mona Lavender’ is a quick-growing perennial
shrub, reaching up to 0.75m in height, forming a lovely rounded,
dense bush. It does very well in either shaded or partly sunny
positions (It is one of the few plants that grow well in shade).
When it receives sun it tends to stay smaller and more compact, and
the leaves exhibit a much more intense coloring.
‘Mona Lavender’ is ideal for mass planting in
your garden or for container gardening. Enjoy this plant with
multiple combinations in your patio containers during the summer
months. Then when the cold months come, move ‘Mona Lavender’ inside
and enjoy it as a houseplant for a splash of colour during the gray
months of winter. They also do great as a hanging basket on the deck
or patio. Like most Plectranthus species, “Mona Lavender’ enjoys a
rich soil with plenty of humus. Water every few days to keep it
fresh and turgid. Pinch back to induce better branching and
compactness.
One of the only downfalls of these splendid
plants is that it doesn’t tolerate very cold conditions.
Plectranthus ‘Mona
Lavender’ is being very effectively commercialized by the Ball
Horticultural Company based near Chicago in the USA. The NBI has an
agreement with this company to commercialize certain selected
plants. For each plant that they sell, South Africa receives
substantial royalties. As a result of this agreement, Ball
have effectively marketed and sold Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’ for
Kirstenbosch throughout North America, Europe, especially in the UK,
South Africa and Australia. Without their marketing and distribution
abilities this would have been very difficult.
http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantnop/plectranmonlav.htm
Enjoy
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