Rondeletia splendens

Plant Family

Rubiaceae

Plant 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 Moisture

  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