Dombeya burgessiae (Wedding flower)

Botanical name

Dombeya burgessiae

Other names

Wedding flower, Rosemound, Dombeya mastersii

Genus

Dombeya Dombeya

Species

D. burgessiae - D. burgessiae is a vigorous yet tender, open, evergreen shrub or small tree with softly hairy stems bearing rounded to broadly ovate, velvety, dark green leaves and, from late summer into autumn, cymes of fragrant, mallow-like, white flowers with reddish-pink veins.

Native to

Africa, Madagascar

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Open branches

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Colour

Flower

Flushed pink, White, Veined in Summer; Veined, Flushed pink, White in Autumn

Foliage

Mid-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Glasshouse red spider mite , Whitefly

General care

Pruning

Pruning group 8. May need restrictive pruning under glass.

Propagation

Sow seed at 18-21C in spring.

Propagation methods

Seed, Semi-ripe cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Dombeya burgessiae (Wedding flower) will reach a height of 4m and a spread of 3m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, City, Conservatory, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Greenhouse, Mediterranean, Wallside and trellises

Cultivation

In frost-free areas, grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun partial shade. Fairly drought tolerant if planted in shade . Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in full light & shaded from hot sun. In growth, water freely & feed monthly; sparingly in winter. Top dress or pot on in spring.

Soil type

Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained

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

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Dombeya burgessiae (Wedding flower)

Common pest name

Lance nematode; Nematode; Lance

Scientific pest name

Hoplolaimus spp.

Type

Nematode

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)

4

General biosecurity comments

Nematode species potentially affecting a wide variety of crops; prohibition of soil likely to mitigate risk substantially; keep under review in light of interceptions or findings should they occur in the EU.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Dombeya burgessiae (Wedding flower)

Common pest name

cotton mealybug

Scientific pest name

Phenacoccus solenopsis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Watching brief for potential impact on tomato production in the Mediterranean. Other southern European countries likely to be more at risk. Precautionary action will be taken on findings on planting material to protect glasshouse crops and botanical gardens.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Dombeya burgessiae (Wedding flower)

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Spilostethus hospes

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

1

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Seed bug unlikely to pose a significant threat to UK plant health.

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: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/