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skill rating
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Bartlettina sordida (Purple torch)
1 hour care
per year
per year
3m
Max height
Max height
2.5m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Bartlettina sordida
Other names
Purple torch, Blue mist flower, Eupatorium sordidum, Dirty thoroughwort, Purple torch of the clouds, Eupatorium atrorubens, Eupatorium megalophyllum
Genus
Bartlettina Bartlettina
Species
B. sordida - B. sordida is a tender, bushy, rounded, evergreen shrub with red, woolly young stems and broadly ovate, toothed, dark green leaves, red-hairy beneath. Dense corymbs of fragrant, violet flower heads bloom in winter in mild areas.
Bartlettina sordida is: Evergreen
Habit
Bushy, Rounded
Flower
Violet in Winter
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids , Glasshouse red spider mite , Slugs , Whitefly Aphids , Glasshouse red spider mite , Slugs , Whitefly
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 8.
Propagation
Sow seed at 13-16C in spring.
Propagation methods
Seed, Softwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Bartlettina sordida (Purple torch) will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 2.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Conservatory, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Greenhouse, Sub-Tropical, Woodland
Cultivation
In frost-free areas, grow in any moist soil in full sun or partial shade. Under glass, grow in loam-based compost with added grit and humus in full light with good ventilation. Water freely & feed a half-strength liquid fertiliser when flowers appear. After flowering, reduce watering. Keep just moist in winter.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, 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
Bartlettina sordida
Other names
Purple torch, Blue mist flower, Eupatorium sordidum, Dirty thoroughwort, Purple torch of the clouds, Eupatorium atrorubens, Eupatorium megalophyllum
Genus
Bartlettina Bartlettina
Species
B. sordida - B. sordida is a tender, bushy, rounded, evergreen shrub with red, woolly young stems and broadly ovate, toothed, dark green leaves, red-hairy beneath. Dense corymbs of fragrant, violet flower heads bloom in winter in mild areas.
Native to
Central America, Mexico, South America
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy, Rounded
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Colour
Flower
Violet in Winter
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids , Glasshouse red spider mite , Slugs , Whitefly
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 8.
Propagation
Sow seed at 13-16C in spring.
Propagation methods
Seed, Softwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Bartlettina sordida (Purple torch) will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 2.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Conservatory, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Greenhouse, Sub-Tropical, Woodland
Cultivation
In frost-free areas, grow in any moist soil in full sun or partial shade. Under glass, grow in loam-based compost with added grit and humus in full light with good ventilation. Water freely & feed a half-strength liquid fertiliser when flowers appear. After flowering, reduce watering. Keep just moist in winter.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, 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
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, 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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