Asteranthera ovata
Star flower
- Height × spread
- 4m × 2m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, tolerates part shade, likes light shade
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is by nature a climbing plant but it can be used as ground cover. There are tubular rose-red flowers with flared lips which come from June for a long season, lasting into autumn. They are cheery in their effect. It has glossy rounded leaves with a corrugated surface - rather Ceanothus like, and which pleasantly clad the slender stems. The twigs have a white-grey pubescence. A tender plant for a warm and shady spot, enjoying high humidity and rich organic conditions. It is useful for use where space is restricted. This is frost hardy but only suited to the milder parts of the country. It is also possible to grow this in a conservatory. It can be used as a creeper that grows quite close to the ground, or as a climber where it can reach a height of 4 metres. This originates in South America in countries that include Chile.
- Flower colour
- Red
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 4m
- Spread
- 2m
- Height in 10 years
- 2m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Shady court, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates full sun, tolerates part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous)
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Indoor light
- full, shade from hot sun at day height
- Indoor temperature
- - 3C minimum temperature
- Use for
- Wall cover, Ground cover
- Walls
- East facing
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with houseplant food monthly
Give the plant a balanced houseplant feed monthly while in growth.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth
Adopt a regime whereby 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.
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 in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Spring · Planting
Repot occasionally
Repot occasionally if grown in a container. Move it to a slightly larger pot with drainage holes in the bottom. Shake off some of the old compost, but don't disturb the roots too much.
Make sure the roots are spread out and that the plant is sitting on compost and not an air pocket. Firm the soil gently, and ensure that the plant sits at the same level above the soil as it did previously.
Winter
Winter · Indoors
Water moderately in winter
Water moderately.
Give a small amount of water so that the plant doesn't become flaccid (leaves lose their firmness and may droop or look lifeless), or dessicated, but do not saturate the compost or leave it standing in water.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water with rain water
This plant needs rain water or soft water (the minerals in alkaline or "hard" water are harmful). This is especially important for plants in pots.
Compost · Planting
Ericaceous compost for repotting
Plants such as Venus Fly Trap or other carnivorous plants need a compost that replicates the soil in boggy places in which they grow.
Indoor temperature · Planting
- 3C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of -3 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in shade indoors
Keep this plant in a shady position away from sunlight, especially sunlight at the height of the day. It can be moved to a more open position during late autumn to mid spring.