Leycesteria formosa 'Purple Rain' – Leycesteria formosa 'Purple Rain'

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Caprifoliaceae

Leycesteria formosa 'Purple Rain' – Leycesteria formosa 'Purple Rain'

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'Purple Rain' forms a bushy, bulbous shrub to about 2 m in height, growing with many branches from the base. The annual twigs are beautifully frosted blue-green. The older bark is grey and flakes slightly when older. The young twigs are hollow and therefore not very strong. Annual twigs in particular can freeze considerably if frost sets in early in the winter. As the plant will then start growing again from the base, a slightly tousled, bushy shrub is created. So plant 'Purple Rain' preferably in a sheltered place. The plant tolerates heat well, but not drought.
The opposite leaves have a graceful, long, pointed tip. The axillary pendulous flower clusters appear in the second half of summer. These are distinguished by purple-red bracts, between which cream to pinkish-white bell-shaped flowers appear. When the flowers have finished flowering, they are followed by green berries, which turn blackish purple via brown. The purplish-red bracts remain all the time, forming a beautiful whole.
With the species name formosa, one might think of Taiwan (formerly Formosa). However, this is not the case. Formosa means "beautiful". If the plant were named after Taiwan, it would have been called "formosana".

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Specifications
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Height
2 m
Width
1-2m
Crown
round
Bark and branches
twigs blue-green, bark grey, slightly flaking
Leaf
ovoid, tip tapering, 5-15 cm, mid-green
Flowers
creamy white to pinkish white, in pendent racemes with purplish-red bracts, August-September
Fruits
berry-shapped, shiny black purple
Spines/thorns
None
Toxicity
usually not toxic to people, (large) pets and livestock
Soil type
few soil requirements
Paving
tolerates no paving
Winter hardiness zone
7a (-17,7 to -15,0 °C)
Wind resistance
moderate, no cold or drying wind
Fauna tree
valuable for bees (honey plant), valuable for butterflies, provides food for birds
Application
roof gardens, coastal areas, small gardens, patio gardens
Origin
U.S. National Arboretum, Washington D.C., USA, 1995
clay soil loamy soil peaty soil sandy soil tolerates no paving 3rd size, smaller than 6 metres dense crown green violet white August September average growing Conspicuous bloom all species valuable for bees (honey plant) valuable for butterflies provides food for birds non-toxic (usually)
Frequently asked questions
Leycesteria formosa 'Purple Rain'

Leycesteria formosa 'Purple Rain' can eventually reach a height of 2 m, depending on the site and climate conditions.

Leycesteria formosa 'Purple Rain' is average growing and can eventually reach a height of 2 m, depending on the site and climate conditions.

The right time to plant Leycesteria formosa 'Purple Rain' is during the dormancy period. In Western Europe, Leycesteria formosa 'Purple Rain' with root balls can generally be planted from mid-November to late April, although this depends strongly on the climatic conditions and the species of tree.

Leycesteria formosa 'Purple Rain' blooms in august, september.
General