Golden dewdrops (Duranta erecta) is an ornamental sprawling shrub commonly found in subtropical and tropical gardens all over the world. Its gentle purple blossoms are often visited by butterflies and hummingbirds. Golden dewdrops is considered a weed in Australia, South Africa and certain parts of East Asia.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Duranta erecta is a species of flowering shrub in the verbena family Verbenaceae, native from Mexico to South America and the Caribbean. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical gardens throughout the world, and has become naturalized in many places. Common names include golden dewdrop, pigeon berry, and skyflower.
The genus name is in honor of Castore Durante, a fifteenth-century Italian botanist. The specific epithet erecta means “upright” in Latin. The plant is also known as D. repens, from the Latin for “creeping”. The latter name was originally used to identify smaller-leaved varieties of the species.
Duranta erecta is a sprawling shrub or (infrequently) a small tree. It can grow to 6 m (20 ft) tall and can spread to an equal width. Mature specimens possess axillary thorns, which are often absent on younger specimens. The leaves are light green, elliptic to ovate, opposite, and grow up to 7.5 cm (3.0 in) long and 3.5 cm (1.4 in) broad, with a 1.5 cm petiole.
The flowers are light-blue or lavender, produced in tight clusters located on terminal and axillary stems, sometimes appearing as panicles, frequently recurved or pendulous, blooming in summer. The fruit is a small globose yellow or orange berry, up to 11 mm (0.43 in) diameter and containing several seeds.
In its natural state, it commonly grows in rocky or sandy coastal areas with full sun, or moister, disturbed sites inland. Prior to maturity, the plant will grow at a rate of up to half a meter per year.
The plant has been identified as an invasive species in Australia, South Asia, China, South Africa, Hawaii, Fiji and French Polynesia. It has been introduced to other habitats but has not become invasive.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Full sun is best for these plants, as they will have a better habit and won’t get loose as they would in the shade. Flower production is also much better in full sun. The plant will grow in partial sun, but a shady location dramatically inhibits its ability to bloom.
Temperature and Humidity
Duranta plants love hot, humid weather. When grown as annuals, they don’t tolerate temperatures much lower than 40°F. If the plant is in a container, bring it indoors when the temperature approaches this point.
Watering
Duranta plants require moderate water, especially before they become established. Plants growing outdoors need the equivalent of about an inch of rain per week. When growing in containers, water your duranta when the top inch of the soil feels dry.
Soil
When growing duranta plants as annuals, provide rich, loamy soil, with a pH range of 5.6—7.5, to help the plants reach their potential in one growing season. Within their hardiness zone (10-11), duranta plants can tolerate lean soil as long as they have good drainage.
Fertilizing
When duranta plants are in rich soil, they don’t need any additional fertilizer; they aren’t heavy feeders. However, if your soil is rocky or poor, apply an all-purpose general fertilizer monthly during the growing season, following manufacturer’s instructions.
Planting Instructions
Plant duranta in the spring in an area big enough to handle the plant’s mature size. Dig a hole twice as big as the plant’s root ball and deep enough so the top of the root ball will sit a half-inch above soil level. Loosen the soil in the hole with a shovel and break up the soil removed from the hole; it will be used to backfill after planting.
Water the plant in its nursery container, slip it out and loosen the roots with your hands. Cut away any roots that circle the root ball tightly. Position the plant in the hole and backfill the hole halfway with the reserved soil. Tamp it to prevent air pockets. Repeat this action at three-quarters full and again when the plant is sitting just above the soil line.
Pruning
Duranta grows extremely fast. It needs frequent pruning to keep the plant looking its best. The overall habit of duranta tends to be semi-weeping, but you can keep the plant manicured to rounded shrubs. In landscapes where these plants are hardy, it’s best to avoid planting them near sidewalks and paths, as they quickly overtake them and will require constant maintenance. Many varieties have small thorns on the branches—another good reason to keep them away from paths.
Propagation
Propagating is not only a cheap way to increase your duranta plant population, but it’s also a way to overwinter plants when the original specimen is too large to bring indoors. Duranta plants root easily from softwood stem cuttings.
- Take a 6-inch cutting of a woody stem in the summer.
- Dip the end of the cutting in the rooting compound.
- Plant the cutting in a pot filled with well-drained potting mix and keep moist until the roots establish and new green growth starts.
- When well-rooted and actively growing, plant the sapling in the desired garden location or in a large pot for growing indoors.
How to Grow from Seed
Because many duranta plants are hybrids, propagating from seed isn’t recommended, as the plant may not come true to the parent. However, if you’re not concerned about an exact match, you can collect seeds from ripe duranta berries in the fall to grow new plants.
- Remove the fleshy berry pulp to ex
- ays at 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Potting and Repotting
When you plant duranta in containers, give these plants a standard, well-drained potting mix, and add some slow-release fertilizer following the product directions. Move the container indoors when the temperature drops or position it next to a south-facing surface for warmth. Even in areas where it is cold-hardy, duranta plants rarely tolerate temperatures in the 20s. They die back to the ground or container soil level for winter and come back the following year.
Overwintering
Potted duranta plants should be brought indoors before outdoor temps dip below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Grow them in a sunny window or provide plenty of artificial light. Pruning may be required to reduce the size of potted plants before you bring them indoors.
Garden plants in cold-winter zones are usually grown as annuals and pulled up and discarded at the end of the growing season. For indoor plants or warm-winter outdoor perennials, cut back to a single feeding during winter to allow the plants to go semi-dormant through winter. In the event of occasionally frosty conditions, the foliage may sustain damage but return full force in the spring.
Pests and Diseases
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Duranta plants are susceptible to whitefly infestations. A duranta plant with a white fly infestation will become weak and show a sticky residue on the leaves; the tiny white insects are easily recognized. Spray with a simple mixture of household dish soap and water; horticultural soaps and oils will also work.
It is also prone to anthracnose. Plants infected with the fungus that causes this disease will develop tan to reddish brown lesions along the leaf veins, and leaves may become cupped, distorted, and die. Fungal spores spread through watering. To manage the disease, remove and destroy diseased parts of the plant. Apply a fungicide for a seven to 10-day interval.
Common Problems
Duranta plants are quite easy to grow, but a handful of problems can arise, often concurrently with moving potted plants indoors from the deck or patio.
Leaves Drop
It’s common for duranta plants to drop their “outdoor leaves” when a potted plant is first brought indoors for winter. This is no cause for worry, as new “indoor leaves” will soon begin sprouting.
Yellowing Leaves
Duranta leaves turn yellow when the plant has insufficient light or nutrients. Ensure the plant is in a full-sun location and apply a diluted, slow-release fertilizer to see if the plant perks up. If keeping the plant indoors, place the plant in the sunniest window. Supplement with an indoor grow light to give the plant the full-spectrum light it needs.
III. Uses and Benefits
Golden dewdrops can be clustered in flowerbeds, yards, at the poolside, and so on, and can also be used as a hedge. It is a popular choice as an annual plant due to its bright, appealing blooms that appear throughout the summer, remaining all year long in tropical regions. This plant is a good choice for tropical landscaping, Mediterranean gardens, and container plantings, and pairs well with larger-flowered plants like Canna and African lilies.
IV. Types of Duranta
Common characteristics of the Duranta erecta species are attractive evergreen foliage with rounded or oval leaves about 2 inches long; some varieties have gold or variegated leaves. It delivers scores of pale blue, white, or violet blossom clusters for the entire growing season and develops drooping clusters of yellow or orange berries in the fall. Birds eagerly eat the berries. Butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds visit the flowers for their nectar.
Duranta is commonly cultivated as hedges and ornamental plants. Some common cultivars include:
- ‘Alba:’ This duranta plant forms clusters of white flowers.
- ‘Golden Edge:’ The ‘Golden Edge’ variety sports bright gold and green foliage.
- ‘Sapphire Showers:’ This variety features vivid violet blooms with white edges.
- ‘Sweet Memories:’ This type of duranta does not have thorns and features purple flowers edged with white.
Find Where to Buy the Best Golden Dewdrop (Duranta erecta)
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