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Aristea capitata (Great blue flower-rod)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
1.5m
Max height
Max height
0.45m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Aristea capitata
Other names
Great blue flower-rod, Aristea major, Aristea thyrsiflora
Genus
Aristea Aristea
Species
A. capitata - A. capitata is a tender, clump-forming, rhizomatous, evergreen perennial with erect, leathery, strap-like, mid-green basal leaves, smaller, linear stem leaves, and dense, spike-like panicles of saucer-shaped, blue or purple flowers in summer.
Aristea capitata is: Evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Erect
Flower
Blue, Purple in Summer
Foliage
Mid-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Remove faded flower stems.
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Aristea capitata (Great blue flower-rod) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 0.45m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Coastal, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Containers, Rock
Cultivation
In frost-prone areas, grow under glass in loamless potting compost in bright filtered light. In growth, water freely & feed monthly. Outdoors, grow in well-drained, moderately fertile, humus-rich soil in full sun. Resents root disturbance.
Soil type
Loamy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Aristea capitata
Other names
Great blue flower-rod, Aristea major, Aristea thyrsiflora
Genus
Aristea Aristea
Species
A. capitata - A. capitata is a tender, clump-forming, rhizomatous, evergreen perennial with erect, leathery, strap-like, mid-green basal leaves, smaller, linear stem leaves, and dense, spike-like panicles of saucer-shaped, blue or purple flowers in summer.
Native to
South Africa
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Erect
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Colour
Flower
Blue, Purple in Summer
Foliage
Mid-green in All seasons
General care
Pruning
Remove faded flower stems.
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Aristea capitata (Great blue flower-rod) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 0.45m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Coastal, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Containers, Rock
Cultivation
In frost-prone areas, grow under glass in loamless potting compost in bright filtered light. In growth, water freely & feed monthly. Outdoors, grow in well-drained, moderately fertile, humus-rich soil in full sun. Resents root disturbance.
Soil type
Loamy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8
Defra's Risk register #1
Plant name
Aristea capitata (Great blue flower-rod)
Common pest name
common blossom thrips; cotton bud thrips; tomato thrips
Scientific pest name
Frankliniella schultzei
Type
Insect
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
2
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
General biosecurity comments
Polyphagous glasshouse pest; present in many countries; single finding in UK.
About this section
Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.
Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here
Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.
Date updated: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Loamy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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