Search Utilities Plant Database Search by Plant Name Advanced Search Search by size, origins, color, cultural needs, etc. Website Search Search for any word Site Map Retail Locator Plant Listings PLANT TYPE PLANT GEOGRAPHY PLANT INDEX ALL PLANT LIST PLANT IMAGE INDEX PLANT INTROS SPECIALTY CROPS NEW  2020 PLANTS PRIME LIST   for OCTOBER  Weather Station

Products > Polygala fruticosa 'Petite Butterfly'   Polygala fruticosa 'Petite Butterfly' - Butterfly Pea Shrub     [2nd Image] Habit and Cultural Information Category: Shrub Family: Polygalaceae (Milkworts) Origin: South Africa (Africa) Evergreen: Yes Flower Color: Purple Bloomtime: Year-round Synonyms: [P. oppositifolia, 'Mariposa'] Height: 2-3 feet Width: 2-3 feet Exposure: Sun or Shade Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F Polygala fruticosa 'Petite Butterfly' (Sweet Pea Shrub) - A compact shrub to almost 3 feet tall with a rounded habit. It is has gray-green foliage that is slightly rounder than Polygala x dalmaisiana. It is very free flowering with the purple pea-like flowers, composed of two winged petals surrounding a whitish purple lacy crest, found on the plant nearly year-round. Plant in full sun or part shade with regular to little irrigation. Hardy to 15-20 F. Polygala fruticosa is a coastal species that can even be found within the splash zone. This would make this a good candidate for beachside plantings. It also makes a good cut flower and lasts well in arrangements. We received our stock plant as Polygala 'Petite Butterfly' from Robert Abe of Chia Nursery in Carpinteria, California, who got it from Malanseuns Pleasure Plants in South Africa. Malanseuns Pleasure Plants now lists this plant as Polygala fruticosa 'Sugar Baby' var. Butterfly Petite and has applied for a trademark in South Africa for the Sugar Baby name. It is also growin ing the nursery trade as Polygala myrtifolia 'Mariposa' - mariposa is the Spanish word for butterfly. The name Polygala is Latin from the Greek word 'polugalon' for "much milk" because of the belief that cows grazing on milkwort increased their milk production. We have grown this plant since 2004 but are discontinuing this plant in favor of Polygala 'Alta Mariposa' which is similar but a stronger growing plant with larger leaves.  The information on this page is based on our research that has been conducted on this plant in our nursery library, from online sources, and from observations made of the crops growing in the nursery, plants in the nursery's garden and those in other gardens where we have observed it. We also have incorporated comments received from others and welcome getting feedback from those who may have additional information, particularly if this information includes cultural information that would aid others in growing Polygala fruticosa 'Petite Butterfly'.