Leonotis leonorus
Minaret flower, Lion's ear, Wild dagga
- Height × spread
- 2m × 1m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Frost free greenhouse 1C & above (RHS H2)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A plant with showy whorls of bright orange flowers. The flowers are individually long slender tubes with slightly open mouths. It is likely to flower in August and September when the flowers form noticeable incidents at the top of long stems. The plant itself makes a hearty feature with its long leaves arching out from the stems. The leaves are toothy edged and are aromatic. This is unlikely to be hardy enough to over winter outside except in the very warmest parts of the country. This is often treated as an annual for an exotic scheme although it is actually a sub shrub. It is said that a drink can be made from the leaves that is intoxicating. The roots are locally used as a remedy against snakebites.
- Flower colour
- Orange
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 2m
- Spread
- 1m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Gravel garden, Exotic garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Frost free greenhouse 1C & above (RHS H2)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Bee attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Prune young growth
Remove the flower and most of the young growth that the plant has made in the previous season. Leave just around 2 centimetres of young growth on the plant. Don't cut into old wood unless it is diseased or damaged.
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.
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.