AVERAGE SIZE (H) x (W): 3m x 3m
FLOWERING TIME: J F M A M J J A S O N D
FRUITING TIME: J F M A M J J A S O N D
A magnificent forest plant that usually forms a roundish shrub, that scrambles into surrounding vegetation. It has glossy deep green foliage. It bears masses of attractive blue-mauve to purple, 5-lipped flowers.
This shrub tolerates very shady conditions so will fill a space under trees where most other plants cannot survive. It sends out runners that often root when they touch the ground, making it a useful plant to cover a large area.
ECOLOGICAL BENEFITS:Attracts insect pollinators which in turn attract insect-feeding birds.
NATURAL HABITAT & DISTRIBUTION:
Forest margins and forest understorey.
MAINTENANCE:
Low maintenance.
Prune lightly if necessary.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Water moderately.
GARDEN THEMES:
Forest, woodland
LANDSCAPING USES:
A wonderful plant to add to a shady forest area of the garden.
Can be planted in large pot on a shady patio.
The foliage is glossy, dark green with a smooth margin.
The green club-shaped fruit ripens to brown and splits into two valves to explosively eject the seed.
CULTIVATION:
Propagate from cuttings.
FULL GALLERY:
Hi Tony
Thanks for visiting Plantbook.
Thanks for pointing this out.
Flourish!
Glenice
This looks like the Sclerochiton kirkii to me, not S. harveyanus?
Hi Richard
Thanks for visiting Plantbook.
We’re not familiar with all the nurseries in your area, but perhaps try:
– Garden Route Botanical Garden (George) or
– Red Shed Nursery (Plettenberg Bay)
– I’m sure of the name, but there’s also a nursery on the Robberg Road near the Plettenberg Bay Airport
Flourish!
Glenice
I live in Knysna and am battling to find a Schlerochiton Harveyanus. Might you help here?
Hi Mary
Thanks for your observations.
Gardening is definitely a constant learning process. Your perseverance has no doubt had an effect on the plants.
Flourish!
Glenice
I had two Sclerochiton harveyanus plants in fairly large pots, among clivias. They did not do well – always looked scrappy – though the plants around them flourished. Eventually I moved them out of the pots to and put them on the south side of a garden wall (i.e. mainly in shade) with deep mulch. They are now looking fantastic – vigorous and green and very pretty. So it’s well worth trying then a new place if they don’t do well at first.
Hi Andre
Thanks for visiting Plantbook and for your observations.
Flourish!
Glenice
One of mine is flourishing outrageously in hours of summer morning sun till about lunchtime or just after, so it gets pretty hot, down here in Cape Town. it’s planted in between a Diospyros of some kind and a Trichocladus crinitus. I’ve got others elsewhere, doing well between other plants
Hi Jeannie
The Sclerochiton harveyanus prefers a position in semi-shade and, as far as I’m aware, it will not attract Sunbirds. Some of the common plants that grow in the sun and attract Sunbirds are:
– Tecoma capensis (Cape Honeysucke)
– Aloe species
– Leonotis leonorus (Wild Dagga)
– Kniphofia species (Red hot poker)
– Cotyledon species (Pig’s Ears)
Flourish!
Glenice
will this plant do well in a sunny location and will it attract hummingbirds? also can this plant be planted with different plants