Duranta

Duranta repens is a large subtropical shrub to small tree that is native from Florida to Brazil and the Caribbean islands. As a landscape shrub in warm climates, it can flower year-round. In tropical areas, it can grow to 20 feet tall. It is hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 9b.

D. repens, which flowers when it is small in size, can be used in 6-inch and larger containers. The cultivar Sapphire Showers from Twyford International has an arching habit and can be used in hanging baskets and specimen containers. This cultivar produces 3/4- to 1-inch, violet-blue, ruffled flowers with a narrow, white picotee edge. The flowers' mild, sweet fragrance is attractive to butterflies. Flowers are produced in clusters at the end of arching stems. Plants flower more profusely under full-sun conditions, but can tolerate several hours of outdoor shade.

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Sapphire Showers is available in 72-cell rooted liners. A 72-cell liner finished in a 6-inch pot takes eight to 10 weeks. Two 72-cell liners transplanted into an 8-inch pot finish in 12-14 weeks.

Sapphire Showers has an upright growth habit with pendant branches, so it can be used in hanging baskets. Plant one liner per 8-inch basket, two for a 10-inch and three liners for 12- or 14-inch size. Keep vigorous upright shoots pruned low to encourage development of side shoots. Baskets finish in 12-14 weeks.

Transplant liners into a well-draining soilless medium with a pH of 5.8-6.5. Keep the medium evenly moist, but not wet. A constant feed should be made with a balanced fertilizer containing minor elements at a rate of 150-200 parts per million nitrogen. Avoid high ammoniacal forms of nitrogen that promote vigorous shoot growth and no flowers.

Sapphire Showers finishes quickest when grown at day temperatures of 72F-77F and night temperatures above 60F. Plants can be grown at cooler temperatures, but crop time will be lengthened. Night temperatures consistently below 50F will significantly extend finish time.

Grow plants under light levels of 5,000-9,000 footcandles. The higher the light level, the better the plant quality and flower production. Sapphire Showers is not daylength sensitive. Plants can be finished outdoors in full sun in mild climates.

Sapphire Showers produces flowers at the tips of all new shoots. A soft pinch is recommended when the shoots are 4 inches long to produce a bushier plant with more flowers. Additional pinches can be made to produce fuller plants with more flowers, but are generally not necessary. Each successive pinch will delay finishing about three to four weeks.

If plants receive higher fertilizer rates or are grown under higher night temperatures, additional pinches are recommended to keep plants more compact.

Duranta sometimes produces vigorous shoots with large stem diameters when grown in larger containers and hanging baskets. In pots, shoots can be pinched to 6-8 inches high so that they provide more branching and flowers. In baskets, remove or pinch these shoots as soon as they develop.

Plants that produce strong shoots can be used for producing standards. For standards, pinch shoots once they reach the desired height and then remove lower shoots as they develop.

No plant growth regulators are registered for use on duranta. A-Rest as a 4 ppm drench has been effective for some growers.

Duranta is relatively pest free. Aphids may be a problem on soft new growth and thrips may attack flowers. Powdery mildew can occasionally be a problem during cool, damp weather.

Specifics

Name: Duranta repens Sapphire Showers.

Crop timing: One 72-cell liner in a 6-inch pot finishes in eight to 10 weeks. Two 72-cell liners transplanted into an 8-inch pot finish in 12-14 weeks. For hanging baskets, plant one liner per 8-inch basket, two for a 10-inch and three liners for 12- or 14-inch size. With the pinches required, all size baskets finish in approximately 12-14 weeks.

Grower benefits: Few pest problems. Can be grown in full sun.

Selling points: Full-sun plant produces violet-blue, ruffled flowers with a narrow, white picotee edge. Flowers' mild, sweet fragrance attracts butterflies.

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For more: Twyford International Inc., 4051 Fudge Road, Apopka, FL 32703; (800) 905-3263; fax (407) 886-1091; info@twyford.com; www.twyford.com.