Description, History & Interesting Facts: plectranthus ecklonii 'Medley Wood' Blue

Plectranthus is a large family of plants with about 350 species, that occur largely in the warm parts of the southern hemisphere; in sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, India, the Indonesian archipelago, Australia and some Pacific islands. About 48 species occur in South Africa, mostly in the warm eastern regions of the country. Some species are endemic; meaning they can only be found growing in the wild in a very limited area, while others are very widespread and variable.

Spur flowers belong to the mint family, and have become popular garden plants around the world.  They are often grown for their attractive foliage, which provides interesting textures and colours. The leaves have a characteristic pungent smell when crushed and the flowers come in a number of shapes and colours, ranging from white and pink to dark mauves, and lavenders.

Plectranthus vary in their growth forms, from prostrate ground covers to medium and large growing shrubs. Being so easy to propagate from cuttings, they are readily shared amongst keen gardeners and are one of the few plants that grow really well in shade. Plectranthus species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera butterfly species.

Plectranthus neochilus In the Garden:

Plectranthus look beautiful if planted en masse in large garden beds and are ideally suited to grow under the shade of trees. The large growing varieties are often used as informal screens and hedges. The smaller varieties are great planted individually in beds, together with other flowering plants; or in pots and hanging baskets. Potted plants require regular feeding with an organic, liquid fertiliser and may need daily watering during hot, dry spells.

Cultivation/Propagation:

Spur flowers are easy to grow evergreen perennial plants that are relatively trouble-free. They grow best in the warm, moist regions of the country and are tender to all but light frost. They will tolerate moderate frost if they are planted in a protected part of the garden. The plants will be cut right back to the ground by frost, but if the roots are well mulched in winter the plant will often grow again in spring. In cold regions they are mostly planted out in spring and treated as an annual plant.

They grow well in semi-shade to part sun and need regular watering; especially if they are grown in more sun; but be careful not to overwater; as this could lead to the premature shedding of leaves. Plectranthus grows best in rich, well-composted garden soil that drains well. 

To encourage bushy growth, pinch out the growing shoots regularly, in early summer. Feed with an organic 2:3:2 or 3:1:5 granular or liquid fertilisers in spring and early summer; ensuring that you water it in very well, to avoid burning the tender roots. Do not fertilise while it is in bloom.

Remove the spent flower spikes regularly to prolong blooming and prune lightly when they have finished flowering.

Plectranthus zuluensis All Plectranthus are very easy to propagate from summer cuttings. Root them in a good, well-drained medium and keep the soil moist but not wet. They also root well in water.

(Plectranthus ecklonii) Large Spurflower, Groot Spoorsalie

This softly erect shrub is widely distributed in the warm, moist, summer rainfall regions; from the Eastern Cape, through KwaZulu-Natal and into Mpumalanga. It will grow about 1 to 2m tall and can spread as wide. It bears long spikes of flowers from late summer to May, peaking in April. The flowers are commonly a bluish-purple with pink and white forms available. It is most effective if planted in massed beds, about 60cm apart. 'Tommy' White and 'Medley Wood' Blue both have large dark leaves and grow about 1 to 1.5m tall, making excellent hedges or screens. 'Tommy' White' has snow white blooms and 'Medley Wood' Blue has purple flowers.

(Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender') Spurflower, Muishondblaar

'Mona Lavender' is a wonderful indigenous hybrid that was bred at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, and has become a popular garden plant around the world. It is easy to grow and produces an abundance of small lavender flower spikes, with purple markings. The flowers appear in late summer and autumn; and in warm regions may flower right through winter and

Plectranthus strigosus

into early summer. It forms a dense, rounded bush about 50 to 75cm tall; with glossy, dark green leaves that have purple undersides. It makes an excellent bedding plant for large areas; if it is planted en masse (35cm apart). In small gardens it is great planted individually in beds, together with other flowering plants; or in pots and hanging baskets. If it is planted where it receives a bit more sun, it will remain smaller and the flowers and leaves will show better colouring.

(Plectranthus strigosus)

This Plectranthus grows in the Eastern Cape. It is very flat-growing with small, light-green leaves and tiny white flowers; making it an excellent groundcover under trees and is a wonderful edging plant for beds and next to shady  pathways.

(Plectranthus neochilus)

This semi-succulent occurs from the Eastern Cape, through KwaZulu-Natal and into Limpopo. It has grey leaves and pretty blue flowers all year. It has a neat habit, making it low maintenance and a superb landscaping plant for any position, except Plectranthus saccatus very wet areas.

(Plectranthus zuluensis) Zulu Spurflower, Zoeloespoorsalie 

This handsome Plectranthus grows in the warm summer rainfall regions; from the northern parts of the Eastern Cape and along the coast into KwaZulu-Natal and southern Swaziland. In very humid regions it can be grown in full sun. It forms a softly erect shrub that can grow 1 to 2m tall and has quilted velvety leaves. It produces masses of delicate flowers, ranging from a dark purple-blue to pale blue-mauve; displayed on the top of attractive, dark purple stems. The flowers can appear in early summer and continue to June, peaking in April. It is a wonderful woodland plant and can be pruned into a low hedge, or planted into containers.

(Plectranthus saccatus) Stoep Jacaranda

This Plectranthus is a soft, semi-succulent plant with a woody base and a trailing habit. It can be found growing in the wild in forests and on rocky outcrops of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu- Natal. It has lovely yellowish-green, heart-shaped leaves, borne on branches that are tinged with purple. In late summer and autumn it Plectranthus spicatus produces spikes of tubular blue to lilac and sometimes white flowers. The flowers are larger than most Spur flowers and there are a number of different varieties and cultivars of this plant. It will grow about 30cm high and looks lovely planted en masse and a makes a good groundcover. It also does well in pots and hanging baskets.

(Plectranthus thunbergii)

This little woodland Plectranthus grows from Knysna to the N. Province. It only grows about 20cm high and makes a charming groundcover for shady areas. It has lush foliage that is deep purple underneath, and the spikes of white to mauve-white flowers are borne on purplish stems, in late summer and autumn. Plant it in areas which do not get hot afternoon sun, or in day long shade.

Plectranthus thunbergii (Plectranthus spicatus)

This succulent herb occurs from the Eastern Cape to Mpumalanga. It grows about 50 to 70cm tall, produces purple flowers and grows in sun or semi-shade. It is very well suited for succulent or bushveld gardens, but also thrives as a pot plant.