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Products > Thomasia solanacea 'Velvet Star'   Thomasia solanacea 'Velvet Star' - Solanum-like Thomasia     [2nd Image] Habit and Cultural Information Category: Shrub Family: Malvaceae (w/Bombacaceae & Sterculeacea) Origin: Australia (Australasia) Evergreen: Yes Flower Color: White Bloomtime: Spring Synonyms: [Lasiopetalum solanaceum] Height: 4-6 feet Width: 3-5 feet Exposure: Cool Sun/Light Shade Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F Thomasia solanacea 'Velvet Star' - (Solanum Leafed Thomasia) - This plant from Western Australia is an upright shrub to 6 feet tall by 4 feet wide with attractive lime green felt-like oakleaf shaped leaves. Sporadically throughout the year and in profusion in mid spring appear the small papery white flowers with dark reddish veins and centers, emerging from ribbed buds that look like a miniature Renaissance Era cathedral dome. It is a great plant for a dry partially shady location, though it can be grown in full sun near the coast with little to no irrigation required once established. Cold hardiness has not been established but this plant tolerated 26 °F under shade at our nursery during the January 2007 freeze. It is listed as tolerating coastal conditions and some alkalinity (unusual for a Western Australian plant) and responds well to shearing and pruning so it can be kept smaller than listed above. This plant was introduced in fall 2007 through the UCSC Koala Blooms Australian Plant Introduction Program originally as Thomasia sp. aff. solanacea (UCSC 94.552) but was later determined to be this species. Thomasia is a genus endemic to Western Australia with twenty-five species that nearly all have attractive foliage and flowers that are showy because of 5 lobed showy sepals, while the actual petals are minute or absent. The genus name honors botanical collectors Peter and Abraham Thomas.  This description is based on research and observations of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in our nursery garden and in other gardens that we visit. We also incorporate comments received and appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have any additional information about this plant, particularly if they disagree with what we have written or if they have additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Thomasia solanacea 'Velvet Star'.     [MORE INFO]