Cavendishia bracteata Syn C.acuminata
Cavendishia bracteata syn C.acuminata
Surrounded by large coral coloured bracts the wonderful and unusual flowers appear on the end of branchlets in terminal clusters of bright red, waxy flowers with tips of green or cream on the flower lobes. The individual flowers are a typical Erica shape.
It is an attractive shrub with pendulous branches clad in evergreen, smooth, glossy bright green leaves. Young growths are a coppery red colour turning green as they mature.
It originates from the tropics and is susceptible to a frost of -5C. In warm corners of the gardens it would survive and thrive. It loves a peaty acid soil with humus and is easy to grow. It may get to 2m high but is easily kept smaller. I have not seen one over 1m in NZ.
Native to the Andes of Columbia and Ecuador it is one of about 30 species but this is probably the only species grown in NZ. Easily propagated by cuttings.
Named after William George Spencer Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire 1790 – 1858 who owed the mansion and garden of Chatsworth in England. The Cavendish banana is also named after him.
Learn more about Cavendish here. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Cavendish,_6th_Duke_of_Devonshire.
Learn more about Chatsworth Garden here
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatsworth_House
Surrounded by large coral coloured bracts the wonderful and unusual flowers appear on the end of branchlets in terminal clusters of bright red, waxy flowers with tips of green or cream on the flower lobes. The individual flowers are a typical Erica shape.
It is an attractive shrub with pendulous branches clad in evergreen, smooth, glossy bright green leaves. Young growths are a coppery red colour turning green as they mature.
It originates from the tropics and is susceptible to a frost of -5C. In warm corners of the gardens it would survive and thrive. It loves a peaty acid soil with humus and is easy to grow. It may get to 2m high but is easily kept smaller. I have not seen one over 1m in NZ.
Native to the Andes of Columbia and Ecuador it is one of about 30 species but this is probably the only species grown in NZ. Easily propagated by cuttings.
Named after William George Spencer Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire 1790 – 1858 who owed the mansion and garden of Chatsworth in England. The Cavendish banana is also named after him.
Learn more about Cavendish here. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Cavendish,_6th_Duke_of_Devonshire.
Learn more about Chatsworth Garden here
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatsworth_House