JOVELLANA VIOLACEA

Introduced from Chile, South America, in the mid 19th century, this semi-evergreen sub-shrub needs a very sheltered spot, because it is not tolerant of below-freezing temperatures. However, over the past eight years, since the Mediterranean climate garden was redesigned and replanted, this beautiful plant has been increasing its area, by sucker growth, and is now growing into its neighbours, and flowering very prettily.

The flowers, small, mauve, with purple spots and yellow blotches in the throat, appear profusely in summer. The small lobed, softly hairy leaves, are borne on slender branching soft shoots.

The great plantsman Graham Stuart Thomas declared it is ‘a treasure where it will grow’.

It has gained the Award of Garden Merit (AGM) from the Royal Horticultural Society.

The plant was named in honour of C.M. de Jovellanes, a student of the flora of Peru.