Advanced Search Filters

Plant Type
Hardiness Zone
Heat Zone
Sunset Zone
Function
Sun Exposure
Soil Moisture
Water Requirement

DURANTA erecta 'Variegata'

Image of Duranta erecta 'Variegata'

James H. Schutte

Family

Verbenaceae

Botanical Name

DURANTA erecta 'Variegata'

Plant Common Name

Skyflower, Variegated Golden Dewdrop

General Description

Golden dewdrop is a vigorous large broadleaf evergreen shrub native to tropical America. The cultivar ‘Variegata’ has drooping clusters of tubular, white-edged, pale blue flowers that appear when growing conditions are favorable and attract butterflies. Dangling chains of orange-yellow fruits succeed the flowers. The toothed, glossy leaves are green, irregularly edged with white. Branches do have thorns. The overall shape is weeping when mature.

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 for containers or mixed borders. 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

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 8

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    9 - 12

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Shrub

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    6'-25' / 1.8m - 7.6m (10)

  • Width

    6'-15' / 1.8m - 4.6m (10)

  • Bloom Time

    Indeterminate

  • Native To

    Southeastern United States, Latin America and the Caribbean, Central America, South America

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Arching/Fountain-shaped

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White, Light Blue, Lavender

  • Flower Color Modifier

    Bicolor

  • Fruit Color

    Yellow, Orange

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    White, Green, Ivory

  • Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier

    Variegated

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    White, Green, Ivory

  • Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier

    Variegated

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    White, Green, Ivory

  • Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier

    Variegated

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    White, Green, Ivory

  • Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier

    Variegated

  • Bark Color

    Tan, Brown

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Container, Feature Plant, Hedges, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    Yes

  • Invasive

    Sometimes

  • Attracts

    Birds, Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes