Jovellana violaceae

Plant of the month: June

Jovellana violaceae

Jovellana violaceae is a member of the Scrophulariaceae family and is located on the Loudon Terrace.

This sub-shrub from Chile does not get very big, usually it grows to be around 60mm tall. It is an upright suckering shrub with lobed deep green leaves and is semi-evergreen as it can lose its leaves in a harsh winter but only for a short time.

Its flowers are an enchanting lilac purple with a yellow throat speckled with purple spots.

To grow this plant well it needs shelter from the worst of the weather, it will thrive in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. It can be pruned in early to mid-spring by removing the old stems down to within 25mm of the old growth.

To propagate Jovellana, take side shoot cuttings with a heel from the older wood in late summer and place in well drained gritty compost.