Spear flower (Spear Flower (Ardisia))

Member Name: Zmugzy

Product:	Spear Flower (Ardisia)
Date:	09/05/06 (761 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: beautiful scent

Disadvantages: Not really for beginners

The Ardisia Crispa is a shrub that will grow between 2 feet high and 2 feet in thickness. It is semi hardy plant quite suited to temperate climates. It is an evergreen plant and keeps its leaves during Winter. It will grow well in any location including shaded areas of the garden. Situated against a north wall would be a good place for it to . The plant can produce a beautiful scent in the evenings that evokes a certain exotic ambience. The scent of the plant is seems most present on humid evenings after a warm day.

Origins:
The Spear Flower (Ardisia) originates in China and Malaya

Flowers:
It produces white flowers in Autumn followed by small red fruits. The flowering usually takes place from July through to September.

Soil:
The plant prefers neither alkaline nor acid soil conditions but does like growing in free draining ground. Soil has a fairly neutral pH between 6 and 8 normally. Most soils and garden plants species fit this condition..

Pruning:
No special pruning or cutting is required for this garden shrub.

Propagation:
The seed is best harvested when it is ripe in the winter. It can then be sown immediately in a greenhouse. It is important to store seed as early in the year as possible. When large enough to handle the seedlings can be separated out into individual pots and grown in a shady part of the greenhouse for at least their first winter. The plants can then be put out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer when they reach about 20cm.

Small potted plants will be found in the more specialised garden centres and should cost about £4 to £5.

Summary: An exotic plant for indoors or outdoors in temperate climates