Desfontainia spinosa

Also Known As

Desfontainia fulgens
Lankia spinosa
Chilean Holly
Taique

Plant type

shrub

size

H: 10'
W: 10'

planting zones

8b-9b

More Options

Desfontainia spinosa plant details

Desfontainia spinosa is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with green foliage. In fall and summer orange, red and yellow flowers emerge. Features glossy texture. Attracts hummingbirds. Grows well with mostly sun - shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in acidic and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Desfontainia spinosa

Plant type: shrub
Plant family: columelliaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 10 FT wide, 10 FT tall
Flowers: orange, red and yellow blooms in fall and summer
Uses: border plant, container plant, floriferous, showy

GROWING CONDITIONS for Desfontainia spinosa

USDA Zones: 8b - 9b
Sun exposure: mostly sun - shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular

Soil needs: acidic and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

This dramatic and unusual 5' shrub hails from the cloud forests of South America, from Colombia to Chile. Its distinctive, dark, glossy-evergreen foliage resembles that of holly leaves. Beautiful as shrub year round, but a knockout in bloom! Very showy, bright-orange tipped with yellow, tubular blooms appear summer into fall. The waxy blooms are not what you would expect to find blooming on this plant and that is exactly what makes it so charming! PSh/M

By: Forestfarm

D. SPINOSA - is an interesting strange plant that looks like a holly with spiny dark green leaves. This Chilean native blooms in July with 1 ½” tubes of orange with yellow tips. Makes a fun container plant as its probably more Oregon coast hardy.

By: Gossler Farms

Long tubular red flower. Excellent with Rhodies.

By: Thompson's Nursery

Bushy, slow-growing shrub, 10' x 10', with tubular flowers scarlet to orange with yellow tips, in summer–autumn. Cherry sized fruits. Needs a cool, moist climate and acid soil that is moisture retentive, partially shaded location. Water well in dry spells. Cold hardy in USDA zones 8-9.