Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon'
Fishwort
Also known as Houttuynia cordata 'Tricolor', Houttuynia 'Chameleon'
- Height × spread
- 0.46m × 0.46m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
Availability
Generally available in late Summer & early Autumn
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This extraordinary plant has pointed, heart-shaped leaves that are matt-green in the centre and irregularly yellow, pinkish and red round the edges. The red tones improve when the plant is in full sunlight. There are also inconsequential little green flowers, clustered in a dense spike, with about 4 white petal-like bract below; they can get lost in all the colours of the foliage. This plant can work well in a pot, where the details can be closely observed. It disappears totally in winter and comes late to life in spring. Houttuynia spreads itself by underground runners and is an invasive plant in the right conditions.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green, Red, White
- Variegated
- Yes
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.46m
- Spread
- 0.46m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Scented garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Ground cover
- Hazards
- No
AutumnNow
Autumn - late · Outdoors
Apply mulch
Spread organic material around the plant being careful not to bury its crown, or to put the mulch above the point at which the plant has been grafted in the case of trees.
A mulch is a covering that can: protect the soil surface from rain, heat and cold; deter weeds; provide nutrients. Organic indicates that material has vegetative origin e.g. manure, compost. Synthetics i.e. plastics, or stones are often called mulches.
Autumn · Planting
Prune foliage back
Cut foliage back to the ground in autumn.
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water frequently to keep the soil moist
The plant thrives in moist or boggy soil, doesn't tolerate dryness and should be watered frequently, not only after a period of drought, but if the soil begins to dry out spring to autumn. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Apply slow release fertiliser
Apply a slow release fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plants soon after they have come 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.