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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Melastomataceae (Melastomes) |
| Origin: Indonesia (Asia) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Pink |
| Bloomtime: Summer/Fall |
| Height: 3-4 feet |
| Width: 4-5 feet |
| Exposure: Shade |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): High Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 30-32° F |
| May be Poisonous (More Info): Yes |
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Medinilla speciosa (Showy Asian Grapes) – A small woody shrub to 3-4 feet tall with square stems and large (up to 8 in. long and 6 in. wide) leathery leaves that have prominent veins typical of a Melastome (a plant in the Melastomaceae). In the warmer months, from late spring to fall, appear the numerous small pink flowers, borne in panicles on pendant pink stems, that later form rounded fruit that starts pink and matures to blue. This fruit is likely the basis for the common name "Showy Asian Grapes" though we have found no reference indicating the fruit is edible and in fact the genus is included in the "The poisonous plants of the Malay Peninsula.". Plant in a shaded or morning sun location – this plant of the mountain forests of Indonesia does not like to get too dry so it is best to water regularly. Though sensitive to temperatures much below 30 °F, a plant in a large container in our parking lot has grown well and without damage for the last 4 years and garners much attention so it can grow in gardens in frost free coastal California locations, but can also be used in the conservatory or as a house plant. Our original seed is from Ginny Hunt of Seedhunt. The name Medinilla honours J. de Medinilla, of Pineda, Governor of the Mariana Islands in the 1820's. We discontinued production of this plant in 2011, thinking it was a bit too tropical for us but it has proven durable through the last cold winters and many people comment about the beautiful plant in front of our office so we have put it back into production for 2014.
The information displayed on this page about Medinilla speciosa is based on our research conducted about this plant from books in our nursery library as well as from information that is provided by reliable online resources. We also have included our own observations made about it as it grew in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers when we had them in our nursery field. We also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.
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