Duranta

( dew - RANT - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of evergreen shrubs and vining plants includes species which need full sun and regular water to perform well in the landscape. These plants produce profuse shows of very attractive blue-purple flowers that will attract butterflies and other pollinators to the garden in the summertime. Duranta can be used as a screening plant that will grow quickly, though they need thinning and pruning continually to keep them under control. Use Duranta as a hedge or privacy screening plant, as a container specimen, or prune into a small, multi-trunked tree. Take care when planting Duranta in the garden, as ingesting any part of the plant is toxic to humans as well as cats and dogs.

duranta Species and Varietals

Duranta is a genus of 17 species in the family Verbenaceae, and is native to South America, Florida and Mexico. The genus is named for 15th century botanist Castore Durante. Duranta growing zones vary by species; see the descriptions below for more information. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Duranta erecta (Duranta repens, Duranta plumieri) (Sky Flower, Golden Dewdrop, Pigeon Berry, Brazilian Sky Flower, Forget-Me-Not Bush, Golden Tears)
This shrub grows best in USDA hardiness zones 10-11 or Sunset growing zones 13, 16, 17-24, H1 and H2. It is native to the West Indies, southern Florida, and Mexico to Brazil and grows quickly to reach 10-25 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide. Forms multi-stemmed clumps and branches are drooping and vine-like. Violet-blue flowers bloom in late spring and summertime. Duranta erecta is considered an invasive species in Australia, South Africa, China, and the Pacific Islands. Cultivars are listed and described below:

'Alba'
White flowered variety.

'Cuban Gold'
A compact, low-growing cultivar with lime-green to chartreuse foliage.

'Geisha Girl'
Purple flowers edged in white.

'Gold Mound'
Has golden leaves and grows to 1.5 feet high and wide. Rarely produces flowers.

'Golden Edge' ('Aurea')
Featuring bright gold and green variegated foliage.

'Royal Blue'
With darker blue flowers on a compact plant.

'Sapphire Showers'
Purple flowers edged in white.

'Sapphire Swirl'
Purple flowers edged in white.

'Sky Blue'
With light blue flowers in spring and summer on a compact grower.

'Sweet Memory'
A thornless variety with flowers edged in white.

'Variegata'
With variegated green foliage that has pure white margins.

Duranta stenostachya (Brazilian Skyflower, West Indian Skyflower, Sky Flower, Golden Dewdrop)
This shrub grows best in USDA hardiness zones 9a-11b or Sunset growing zones 13, 16, 21-24 and H2. A neater, more compact shrub than Duranta erecta, it grows to 4-6 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide. Spineless stems. Lavender blue flowers are larger than those of Duranta erecta, and fruit clusters grow to 1 foot long. These plants are considered invasive in Australia, South Africa, Hawai'i, Fiji, French Polynesia, and areas of China.

Caring for duranta

Take care when planting Duranta in your garden, as ingesting any part of the plant is toxic to humans as well as cats and dogs.

These vines are dense, vigorous growers and will need some space to grow. They also prefer to have some nearby structure to climb on. Plant these vines in full sun; ideally, they should receive between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for best flowering and foliage growth. In particularly warm climates, ensure that these vines receive some afternoon shade when temperatures are the warmest. They appreciate well-draining, moderately fertile soils with a pH of between 5.6 and 7.5 (acidic to neutral). If local soils are compacted, do not drain well, or are particularly poor in nutrients, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic matter or compost before installing this vine. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plant after planting, ensuring that mulch stays at least a few inches away from the stems. This will increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and maintain a constant soil temperature. Keep the soil moist while plants establish a strong root system; mature plants are considered somewhat drought-tolerant (able to survive short dry spells), but they do appreciate consistent moisture during their growth and flowering season. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch.

Duranta vines are not heavy feeders, though they do appreciate a few inches of compost around their bases each spring to support the season's growth and flowering. Work compost into the soil a bit after pulling back mulch, and then replace mulch after the feeding is complete. Durantas will die back to the ground each winter in areas that are prone to frost. These plants grow vigorously each season and can be completely cut back to the ground in late wintertime for rejuvenation. Pruning is key to keep these vines in check; they will quickly take over large areas of the garden. Duranta plants are considered long-lived perennials, able to last for between 20 and 25 years in the landscape if cared for correctly.

Caring for Duranta in Containers
Duranta vines can be grown either in the ground or in containers. If you are growing Duranta in a pot, choose one that is at least 16 inches in diameter to begin with. Ensure that the container has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow excess water to flow away from the root zone. Fill with well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite and top with a layer of mulch to increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and maintain a constant soil temperature. Keep the soil moist while plants establish a strong root system; mature plants are considered somewhat drought-tolerant (able to survive short dry spells), but they do appreciate consistent moisture during their growth and flowering season. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Check yearly to see if the plant needs to be potted up. If roots are attempting to grow through the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot, this is a good indicator that it needs to be in a larger container.

Propagation

Duranta can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Duranta by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Duranta by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant, especially if you are dealing with a hybrid variety Duranta shrub. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. In fall, pick berries off of your plant, being careful to not touch them, as they are toxic if accidentally ingested. Remove the fleshy pulp and set them aside.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light and stays around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 30-60 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Duranta seeds.

Duranta seeds are contained inside the fruits produced by the shrub.

Problems and Pests

Whiteflies can be a problem with Duranta plants. For more information on how to eradicate this issue (and other commonly encountered garden pests and diseases) consult the following links:

Pests & Pest Management

Plant Issues