Panama Rose
Location
Butterfly Garden
- Common Name: Panama Rose (other common names: Bush Penta).
- Scientific Name: Rondeletia leucophylla
- Family Name: Rubiaceae
- Origin: Mexico
- Height: 12 ‘- 15’
- Width: 10’ – 12’
- Growth: fast growing
- Zone: 10B – 11
- Light Needs: Sun – partial shade.
- Salt Tolerance: Moderately.
- Soil/PH/Texture: Prefers slightly acidic soil, no real pH preference (pH 5.6 – 6.5).
- Soil Moisture: Average moisture – water moderately but do not overwater, (well-drained soil will avoid root rot).
- Drought Tolerance: Moderately drought-tolerant once established.
- Pests/Diseases: No serious pests or diseases but can get rot root easily (don’t overwater).
- Growing Conditions: Easily maintained, with a little pruning – can be kept three to five feet tall with careful pruning which is best done in early summer.
- Characteristics: This evergreen has lance-shaped leaves that are medium green in color. They sport clusters of star-shaped, dark-pink tubular flowers with yellow centers, under 1”, that bloom in December – May, although blooms may occur throughout the year on and off.
- Propagation: By softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings.
- Wildlife: Attracts butterflies, bees and hummingbirds – the scent of the flower is more intense at night, but butterflies favor them during the day when the fragrance is lighter.
- Facts: The Panama Rose is noted for its beautiful aroma, especially after sunset. The Panama Rose is not a true rose, but a great flowering shrub and butterfly attracter.
- Designer Considerations: Can be used as a hedge, specimen, windbreak, tree, small mass plantings (3 – 5) in a butterfly garden, accent for a mixed garden bed, surrounding a tall specimen like a tree, around the patio to enjoy the fragrance or in a pot on the patio.
