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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Acanthaceae (Acanthus¹) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Light Lavender |
| Bloomtime: Spring |
| Height: 6-10 feet |
| Width: 6-8 feet |
| Exposure: Shade |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
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Mackaya bella (Forest Bell Bush) - This upright-dense growing evergreen shrub grows up to 6-8 feet tall or more with oppositely arranged 4 to 5 inch long glossy slender elliptically shaped dark green leaves that have wavy margins and prominent midrib and veins on the lower surface. In mid-spring to early summer appear the beautiful clusters of 2 inch long trumpet-shaped pale lavender flowers with the throats having pronounced deep purple veins. Plant in partial sun to dense shade in well-draining soil and give regular to occasional irrigation. It is hardy to about 20 degrees F. Can be pruned hard to control size and shape. It is a nice addition to a tropical-looking garden as a specimen plant or for use as an informal hedge and can be trimmed up as a small tree. The genus Mackaya was named after James Townsend Mackay, author of Flora Hibernica and the specific epithet 'bella' is Latin for "beautiful" in reference to its attractive flowers. It occurs naturally in forests and along streams in the Eastern Cape, Kwazulu Natal, Swaziland and Northern Province of South Africa.
The information presented on this page is based on research that we have conducted about this plant in our library and from reliable online sources. We also consider observations we have made of it growing in the nursery's garden and in other gardens we have visited, as well how it performs in our nursery crops out in the field. We will incorporate comments that we receive from others as well and welcome getting feedback from anyone who may have additional information, particularly if they have knowledge of cultural information that would aid others in growing Mackaya bella. |
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