Leonotis ocymifolia
Minaret flower, Lion's ear, Wild dagga
Also known as Leonotis leonitis
- Height × spread
- 0.7m × 0.7m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Flowers
- Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
The flowers are the chief asset of this delightful plant. Individually long and tubular, and an unusual burnt orange, they are held on long green stalks, in whorls around the stem. They come during September, making an unusual colour to contrast with all those autumnal daisies. The leaves look somewhat like those of a stinging nettle, grey green and hairy with toothed edges. The popular name, 'Lion's Ear' derives from the feel of the flower, their velvety texture being similar to lions lobes! These flowers are also recommended for cutting but it is necessary to flatten the stem to enable them to take up water. Although this looks like a herbaceous plant it is actually a tender shrub that is only hardy in the mildest parts of Britain and Ireland. Give this a sunny spot in well drained soil. The plant stands around 70cm (2ft 6in) in both height and spread.
- Flower colour
- Orange
- Foliage colour
- Grey
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 0.7m
- Spread
- 0.7m
- Season of interest
- Autumn
- Flowers in
- Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Exotic garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Structural
- 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.