THEVETIA peruviana

Spectacular shrub or small tree, evergreen or semi deciduous perennial, with a typical expanded habit. Native to Central and South America, it has a rather rapid growth rate and can easily grow 7/8 meters tall. The flexible stems, light green when young and then brown-greyish, initially have an erect posture and then curve towards the outside of the plant giving it a thick but tidy appearance. The leaves, long and lanceolate, are alternate and light green in color. In summer and until late autumn, groups of large yellow flowers (but in some cases also white or salmon pink) appear in the apical parts of the branches, funnel-shaped and pleasantly scented. The flowers are followed by decorative fruits, which at first are green while when ripe they become blackish and contain a single large seed from which it is easy to obtain a new specimen: every part of the plant is poisonous, this must be kept in mind when handling it.

It needs a sunny and bright position, therefore in semi-shaded positions it grows and blooms less. It is suitable for any type of soil, even if it prefers loose, light, fertile, rich and well-drained ones. Once rooted it tolerates long periods of drought, however it benefits from some watering in the hottest periods of the summer It does not tolerate cold and night frosts, therefore it is important to place it in positions sheltered from winter winds. At the spring vegetative restart, a light pruning is feasible, this will consist in the cutting of dry, damaged and disordered stems or in the shortening of the more vigorous and robust stems, in order to stimulate growth and a subsequent more intense flowering. It is suitable to pots or large containers, which need to be replaced regularly due to the robust and developed root system of the plant; in the ground it can be used to decorate a corner of the garden with a dense and colorful shrub, alone or together with contrasting foliage and flowering bushes. It can also be lined up to create informal and very original hedges.