Polygala lancifolia

An odd plant from east Africa that self seeds with abandon through the nursery and draws many inquiries with its strange, bright rosy purple, two petalled blossoms held in dense racemes terminating branches sparsely clothed in lance shaped leaves which sprout from the top of a single, green, slender, cane-like stem. A natural standard, the single stems take up little space and the modest root system and sparse leaves barely compete with other plants, allowing seedlings to be left where they sow if desirable. With a short maturation I pull plants once they are past their best, there are always plenty of seedlings waiting to take their place, though an individual plant if left alone may live for two or three years. At home in any soil type it is from summer rainfall climates and requires regular summer water but will tolerate lengthy dry periods once established. Easily grown grown just about anywhere. Its habit and quick growth makes it unsuitable for pot culture and it is not offered for individual sale but seedlings can usually be found for free in the pots of other purchases.

When in bloom Polygala virgata appears as a solid purple cloud from a distance! Very striking from afar but also charming up close, as the individual 1” flowers dangle delicately from the thin branches. Growing 4-6’ tall & wide, this airy slender blue-green branched shrub has small lanced shaped leaves that often drop before the bloom - all the better to see the flowers! Branches remain bare for the bottom 2’ or so, giving it an almost tree-like look. Blooms Spring through Fall, makes a great cut flower & provides nectar for bees. Fast growing, it seems to enjoy rubbing shoulders with other plants & may resent being planted in the open. Reseeds but not enough to be a nuisance. Drought tolerant once established but looks better with some water. Native to South Africa.

Sparsely branched upright tender shrub native to South Africa with intense purple pea-like flowers. Leaves are scarce as well on these plants reaching 6 feet tall.