Cyathodes colensoi

At a glance

Lifecycle: Perennial (hardy)
Exposure: Partial shade
Frost limit: −12.2 °C

Cultivation

Requires a moist well-drained lime-free humus rich soil in a sheltered site in partial or dappled shade. This species is fairly hardy in Britain but it can be damaged in very severe winters. The sweetly scented flowers are produced in axillary clusters. Plants have very fine root systems and great care must be taken when transplanting them.

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in ericaceous soil, February/March in a cold frame. Grow them on in a greenhouse for at least two years before planting them out in late spring or early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Air layering.

Edible uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. A sweet mealy flesh, does this refer to the seed?[K].

Material uses

A most attractive ground cover plant for the winter garden.

Habitat

Montane to lower sub-alpine open grassland to rocky places and fellfield on North and South Islands.

Native range

New Zealand.