Dicliptera sericea
Erect water willow
Also known as Dicliptera suberecta, Justicia suberecta
- Height × spread
- 0.6m × 0.45m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 5C & above (RHS H1c)
- Flowers
- Spring, Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This subshrub has a rather sparse habit but is of fiery and eye-catching appeal when in flower. It holds its slender branches erect. These are covered in white hairs and appear as a silvery-green shade. The spoon shaped leaves, quite large and attractive, are likewise hairy. In summer it is covered in clusters of vivid orange-red, long tubular flowers, and looks like a food source for humming birds. Unfortunately, it is rather tender and only suitable for the warmest parts of the country if grown outside. This reaches around 60cm (2ft) height with 45cm (18in) spread.
- Flower colour
- Orange, Red
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Stem colour
- Grey, White
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 0.6m
- Spread
- 0.45m
- Season of interest
- Spring
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 5C & above (RHS H1c)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Structural
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth.
Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Summer
Summer - pf · Planting
Prune leggy stems after flowering
If the plant gets leggy (i.e. has too many very long stems), cut the stems back by half taking them to a strong bud that is pointing outwards away from the centre of the plant.
The plant will look better if the growth is always outwards (i.e. from an outward facing bud), rather than having branches that cross and muddle the centre, which will occur if the topmost growing bud faces inwards.
Winter
Winter · Outdoors
Water sparingly during dormancy
In its dormant period give very little water, keeping the soil barely moist. Dormancy is likely to be during the winter and the plant recommences growth in early to mid spring.
When a plant enters dormancy the leaves fade, go yellow and then brown. Eventually the whole plant may 'disappear' or unadorned stems may remain.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.