Forum home Plants

Anyone know what this plant is

AHRAHR Posts: 361

I have just bought this plan from a local store for £1. I have no idea what it is and how to care for it? Some advice needed.  its labeled autumn shrub but there is no other information. 

«1

Posts

  • AHRAHR Posts: 361

    image

     

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 54,353

    We're pretty good here Andrew, but we still need a picture image

    oops - it's just appeared! image

    Looks like  a Pernettya,  or Gaultheria as it's called now.  

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • And as it's got berries , it's a female, but you won't get any more unless you can get hold of a male plant. Good nurseries usually sell both sexes. You can get females with different coloured berries too. One male will be enough for several females.

  • AHRAHR Posts: 361
    Brilliant. Am I right in thinking this plant likes full or half shade and looks good all year round? If so I know the perfect spot for it.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 54,353

    They like a bit of shade Andrew and they're evergreen - little white, or pink, bell flowers in spring image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 54,353

    I should have added that they don't like alkaline soil - neutral to acid for them 

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • AHRAHR Posts: 361

    Not sure of my soil but as it is heavily clay I'm guessing it will be alkaline? 

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,137

    Could well be alkaline. I'm on clay (it is alkaline here) and have tried to grow these on a couple of occasions. Not much luck I'm afraid, got a few manky berries once but they didn't like the conditions here and just faded away. Some say if Rhododendrons thrive you have acid soil - not the case here, Rhodo's thrive in my clay alkaline soil.

    They also called Pheasant-berries, so I'm guessing they like similar conditions to heathers etc


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 23,155

    When I lived in Kent my heavy clay soil was acid.

    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • The type of soil you have is not an indicater of it's pH - clay soil can be acid, alkaline or anything in-between.  Best thing is to test it to be sure - very easy to do with a little kit you can get on the internet or any garden centre image 

Sign In or Register to comment.