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Mackaya bella

Family: Acanthaceae (Acanthus family)

Common names: Forest Bell Bush, Asystasia bella (E); Bosklokkiesbos (A);

Native to: Southern Africa
Shrub, Tree
A magnificent forest shrub bearing masses of white bell-shaped flowers.

Mackaya bella

SEMI-DECIDUOUS

SEMI-SHADE

SHADE

FROST HARDY

MEDIUM WATER REQUIREMENTS

FAST GROWER

FRAGRANT

ATTRACTS INSECTS

FLOWER COLOUR:

AVERAGE SIZE:

3m x 2m
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

Mackaya bella

DESCRIPTION

Asystasia bella (formally Mackaya bella) is an attractive, semi-hardy, evergreen shrub which thrives in deep shade conditions. The glossy dark-green leaves have a prominent midrib and veins on the lower surface. The margins are wavy and widely toothed.. Masses of white or light lavender flowers with prominent burgundy veins are borne from spring to mid-summer.

NATURAL HABITAT & DISTRIBUTION
Forest understorey.
WILDLIFE & ECOLOGICAL BENEFITS
Asystasia bella is a larval host plant to the Blue Pansy butterfly.
WATER REQUIREMENTS
Water moderately throughout the year.
MAINTENANCE
Asystasia bella is low maintenance and will grow to a neat shrub up to 4 metres tall.
Prune back after flowering to encourage dense growth and a non-woody plant.
LANDSCAPING USES
A superb shrub for an informal hedge in a shady area. Ideal for small gardens.
It may also be grown in a large pot in a shady courtyard.
Ideal companion plants are Clivia miniata, Asparagus densiflorus and Plectranthus verticillatus.
GARDEN THEMES
Forest, Formal, Rockery, Tropical, Woodland
FLOWERS
White or lavender, bell-shaped flowers, each comprising a tube ending in 5 spreading lobes and streaked with purple veins.
FOLIAGE
The glossy dark-green leaves have a prominent midrib and veins on the lower surface.
FRUIT
The fruit is a green, club-shaped capsule that matures to brown then explodes into two to eject the seeds.
SEED
BUTTERFLY/MOTH HOST PLANT
Junonia oenone (Blue Pansy)
PESTS & DISEASES
Seldom attacked by pests and diseases.
CULTIVATION
Asystasia bella is easily propogated by semi-hardwood cuttings taken in autumn or spring or from seeds sown in spring. It performs best in heavily composted, well-drained granitic soil and needs regular watering in summer for the first year until well established. Feed with a slow-release 3:1:5 fertilizer every two months in summer. The plant responds well to a light pruning after flowering to encourage bushy new growth and to maintain a compact shape.

30 responses

  1. Hi Mona

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    Mackaya bella is easy to cultivate from seeds. Sow freshly-harvested seeds in a well-drained planting mix and keep moist.

    It also grows easily from semi-hard wood cuttings.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

  3. Hi Hayley

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    Mackaya bella can tolerate a severe pruning down to 50cm in height. This helps them grow more bushy as they tend to get woody as they age.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

  4. Dear Glenice

    My forest bush bells have become very woody and I am wondering whether than can tolerate a proper pruning to get past the harder wood. Would love to send you a picture for advice.

    With love
    Hayley

  5. Hi Sandra

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    Mackaya bella tends to propagate by seed which it expels with distances up to 5m.

    It is advisable to remove the unwanted plants by carefully digging them out by the root.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

  6. Hi, my Mackaya Bella has sent runners out all over the garden, can I just chop them off?

  7. Hi Cornie

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    It sounds like your plant has outgrown its pot and the roots have run out of space. It may be time to transplant it into the ground.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

  8. Good day

    My potted Mackaya Bella has stunted, yellowish leaves. It is in a 50cm pot against a South-facing wall (afternoon sun) in Centurion. New shoots seem healthy, but established stalks are producing small, curly, yellowish leaves

  9. Hi Antoinette

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    Young plants take a while to settle in a new location as your garden conditions will be very different to the nursery in which they were grown. Check your plants for signs of new growth and if the new leaves are healthy, this indicates that the plants are adapting to their new home.

    Perhaps also try cutting down on the watering as your soil type may be holding water. Rather do a finger test to determine whether the soil is dry and water only if it’s dry.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

  10. The tips of the leaves of several of my 5 Mackaya Bella plants are black. They were planted in Oct (so young). In dappled shade under big trees. I’ve used lots of mulch and they get light water 3-4 times a week. Should I be worried? In Cape Town. They’re protected from wind.

  11. Hi Nicki

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook and sharing your love of our indigenous plants despite the different and challenging conditions of your new home.

    Mackaya is naturally a forest species so thrives when grown in a medium rich in organic material. To encourage flowering, your plant will require regular feeding with a phosphorous-rich fertiliser. You may also need to replace the growing medium as the mineral components in a contained environment like a pot get depleted over time.

    All the best.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

  12. I am growing Mackaya Bella in a fairly large ( about 40 cms diameter pot ) in the UK. I bring it inside during winter and once winter is over it goes outside in a position of morning sun and afternoon shade. I’ve had it for about 4/5 years and although It looks a bit unhappy in winter it picks up in the summer and looks healthy but I’ve had no flowers at all. I feed it during the summer . I was wondering if it’s because the pot is too small? The plant is about 60 cms high. I would love it to flower and bring back memories of my garden in Joburg! Any suggestions please! Many thanks
    Nicki

  13. Hi Nooriya

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    As your Mackaya bella are quite established they are likely to experience severe transplant shock.

    To minimise this, trim them down to knee height a week before digging them out. Plant in well-composted soil and water frequently.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

  14. I would like to move my mature (3-4m) Mackaya bella bushes due to construction. How well do they transplant? Any advise?
    Thanks

  15. Hi Liesl

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    You can cut them back up to half their current size and now is a good time as they’ll still benefit from the remainder of the peak growing season.

    Feed them with compost and an organic fertiliser which will give them an extra boost which will help improve the flowering this season. Also remember that as this is a forest species which will thrive when the soil is covered with a thick mulch of decaying leaf litter to mimic its natural growing conditions.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

  16. We recently moved to a house that has a garden full of them. They are done flowering but the shrubs are really high 3-4m. How hard can these be pruned back and when (month?)? There are a few of them in a deep shade area that look very healthy and glossy but saw no flowers this season. Any tips?

  17. Hi Vanessa

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    Mackaya bella generally survives frost conditions up to -5 degrees celcius but perhaps your garden is more susceptible to lower temperatures due to your location. Some gardens have rivers close by or the position is exposed to colder winds.

    Plants are sensitive to location, so you may have to change your positioning or choose another species.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

  18. Hi,
    I have been trying to grow a few of these in my JHB garden but I find that they get ravaged by the cold each winter and by spring there is nothing left of the plant. They basically start growing from ground level again each year. I am confused as this site says they are frost hardy? But that is not my experience at all.

  19. Hi Anthon

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    The life expectancy of plants depends to a large extent on the growing conditions.

    We have seen some garden specimens at are at least 20 years old and they are still thriving.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

  21. Hi Lesley

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    It is always tricky planting under an established tree.

    Without trying to dissuade your plant selection, realise that Asystasia bella may not thrive under your Cedrus deodara (deodar tree) for the following reasons:-

    1. Fallen needles from Cedrus deodara (deodar tree) tend to make the soil very acidic which makes it difficult to grow most plants around them.
    2. There may be competition with the tree for nutrients and water.

    Although not indigenous, you may also wish to consider hydrangeas, camellias or azaleas under your tree as these definitely thrive in acidic conditions.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

  23. Hi Gillian

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    Shrivelled leaves can have a number of causes. Without knowing any details about your watering and feeding regime, I’ll have to give you general pointers to consider:

    – Watering should rather be for a long duration, to ensure that the water penetrates deeper into the ground to reach the roots.
    – Avoid over-watering which can also stress the plant and cause withered leaves. An established Mackaya can survive with minimal watering, but this will depend on your soil and garden’s micro-climate.
    – Could your water be contaminated?
    – Mackaya thrives in a forest environment, so ensure that your planting area is rich in compost and leaf litter.
    – As with most plants, feeding should only take place when there is active growth and flower production. Over-feeding can cause the leaves to wither.
    – Use an organic fertiliser
    – Could there have been an accidental chemical spillage near your plant?
    – Is there any insect activity on the plant?
    – What is the age of the plant? It could perhaps be reaching the end of its life.

    I hope this helps.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

  24. My mackaya bella is not looking very healthy with shrivelled and withered leaves despite feeding and watering. What can be causing this? I live in the Cape, South Africa.

  25. Hi Francois

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    It depends on where you’re looking and what size you require.
    A 4l plant will cost around R50 and a 40l plant will be roughly R500.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

  27. Hi Lynne

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    Try Hill House Nursery in Devon. If they can’t assist, contact the RHS for details of your nearest nursery specialising in exotic species.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

  28. Please can you let me know if is possible to buy this plant ( Mackaya Bella) in the uk ?
    If so where.

    Thank you

  29. Hi Elma

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.
    Mackaya bella is a forest species that prefers full shade. However, I’ve seen some planted in full sun and they’ve adapted.

    If you don’t have the shade, consider planting it on the south east side of your home which may only receive morning sun in summer.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

  30. Thank you for the relevant info. Would be ideal during winter but the summer sun would be too harsh unfortunately

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