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Mackaya bella

>From: Liz Runciman <lizr@ozemail.com.au>
>Subject: Mackaya bella
>Sender: lizr@ozemail.com.au
>Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 17:18:31 +0900
>
> This is not really a mediterranean plant but it
> seems to do well here (Adelaide, South Australia)
> in semi-shade.  It's flowering like mad at the
> moment and is so pretty with trusses of veined,
> pale lilac flowers.  I wonder if other medit-listers
> grow it.
>
> Liz

I have not grown this plant, but I know various people in this area
who do.  It would seem to be a good choice for a more shaded and
moist garden than my own.  I have seen the flowers brought into
horticultural society meetings and they are indeed very beautiful.
They remind me a delicate Japanese paper origami tinted with lavender
watercolors and delicate veins.

Here are some note from my computer database on this species:

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--------------------------- Cal Hort Plant Display, May 18th meeting
 Mackaya bella                                        Richard Wagner
 Acanthaceae, Acanthus Family                          San Francisco

Only one species in this South African genus (a monotypic genus).
It grows to 5ft. or more in height and is a shiny leaved evergreen
with 2in. pale lavender flowers with darker veins in the throat.  An
excellent plant for a deeply shaded spot.

"Acanthaceae, (=Asystasia bella).  Shade loving, this bushy
evergreen of 1-2 meters (3-6ft), with glossy leaves, has mauve,
foxglove-like flowers which are profuse in late spring and early
summer.  It turns paler in colour if grown in full sun.  There is
also a pure white form.  It can be grown in a tub or under a tree
where it will be protected from frost and does well in shade on the
higveld.  It needs light loamy soil with moisture, particularly in
summer, but is fairly drought resistant.  This South African shrub
grows easily from cuttings taken after flowering, when it may be
trimmed." Shrubs, Trees & Climbers for Southern Africa, Sima
Eliovson 1975

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 Sean A. O'Hara                     sean.ohara@ucop.edu
 710 Jean Street                    (510) 987-0577
 Oakland, California 94610-1459     h o r t u l u s   a p t u s
 U.S.A.                             'a garden suited to its purpose'
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