Holly Chichester
Family
Verbenaceae
Botanical Name
DURANTA erecta 'Gold Mound'
Plant Common Name
Gold Mound Dewdrop, Skyflower
General Description
Golden dewdrop is a vigorous large broadleaf evergreen shrub native to tropical America. The cultivar ‘Gold Mound’ has drooping clusters of tubular, lavender-blue flowers that appear when growing conditions are favorable and attract butterflies. Dangling chains of orange-yellow fruits succeed the flowers. The toothed leaves are chartreuse and glossy. Branches have thorns. The overall shape is weeping when mature. Gold Mound is not a dwarf plant, but has a short habit while young and will grow to full size a few years after planting.
This shrub does best in well-drained average soil and full to partial sun. In frost free zones it can be grown as a landscape specimen and in temperate zones with cold winters it is commonly grown as a seasonal bedding plant. Plant golden dewdrop singly as a specimen plant or massed as a screen. Duranta also works well as a large houseplant, tub specimen or pruned into a small standard tree.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 8
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USDA Hardiness Zone
9 - 12
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Shrub
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
6'-25' / 1.8m - 7.6m (10)
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Width
6'-15' / 1.8m - 4.6m (10)
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Bloom Time
Indeterminate
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Native To
Southeastern United States, Latin America and the Caribbean, Central America, South America
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Arching/Fountain-shaped
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Blue, Lavender
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Fruit Color
Yellow, Orange
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Chartreuse, Yellow Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Chartreuse, Yellow Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Chartreuse, Yellow Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Chartreuse, Yellow Green
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Bark Color
Tan, Brown
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Container, Feature Plant, Hedges, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
Yes
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Invasive
Sometimes
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Attracts
Birds, Butterflies
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Self-Sowing
Yes