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[2nd Image]
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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Polygalaceae (Milkworts) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Purple |
| Bloomtime: Year-round |
| Synonyms: [P. grandiflora, Hort.] |
| Height: 3-5 feet |
| Width: 3-5 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F |
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Polygala 'Alta Grande' (Large Butterfly Sweet Pea Shrub) - A shrub we expect to grow to 3 to 4 feet tall with a dense rounded habit. It is has gray-green round leaves very similar, but larger than Polygala fruticosa 'Petite Butterfly'and also has a very free flowering nature like it with the purple pea-like flowers, composed of two winged petals surrounding a whitish purple lacy crest that can be 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 though the stem length on this cultivar is a bit short. We were first made aware of this plant by Doug Zylstra of West Covina Wholesale who had purchased the plant from Alta Nursery as Polygala grandiflora – to commemorate its source and indicate its larger size, we have come to call this distinctive plant Polygala 'Alta Mariposa'. 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.
This information about Polygala 'Alta Mariposa' displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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