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Rondeletia splendens

Image of Rondeletia splendens

Family

Rubiaceae

Botanical Name

Rondeletia splendens

Plant Common Name

Red Panama Rose

General Description

Along with its shapely leaves, red Panama rose displays charming red flowers with tiny yellow centers whenever temperatures are warm and balmy. It's a small, frost-tender evergreen shrub native to the woodlands of Central America.

The tapered leaves are oval and come to a pronounced point and are found in opposite pairs on stems that arch gracefully. From spring to autumn, or as long as the weather is sunny and warm, small five-petalled flowers appear at the ends of the branches in dense, round clusters. Fragrant from dusk to dawn, they are red with a smaller yellow center, and they attract butterflies and an occasional hummingbird.

Grow red Panama rose in full to partial sun and soil that is fertile but well-drained and not alkaline. Reduce watering in the winter and lightly trim back branches after flowering flushes if needed for tidiness.. It is pretty as a container plant on the patio or planted in the tropical mixed border, near windows or near seating areas where evening breezes deliver its floral fragrance.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 9

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    10 - 15

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Shrub

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    3'-4' / 0.9m - 1.2m

  • Width

    3'-4' / 0.9m - 1.2m

  • Bloom Time

    Indeterminate

  • Native To

    Central America

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Average

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Oval/Rounded

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Yellow, Red

  • Flower Color Modifier

    Bicolor

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Green

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Fine

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Container, Foundation, Mixed Border, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Hummingbirds, Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    No