Shrub Lavender Flowers-Zone 10b

9 years ago

I'm looking for a full-sun or near full-sun shrub that I can keep trimmed to about 2' tall and 2' wide (for a hedge), that has lavender or orchid-colored flowers. I saw one! Of course, I didn't snap a picture. I'm in Zone 10b (I just figured that out!), in No. San Diego County. Thanks!!

Featured Answer

JXBrown (Sunset 24, N San Diego County)

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

Lavender starflower can be chopped into any size hedge, but it needs some support to start. The flowers are about an inch across. It's an easy plant to grow.

Was it a plant with clusters of flowers? Purple lantana is more of a groundcover, but mine heap up to about 2 feet high.

Did it finish blooming and have about five petals? Cistus or "rockrose" also can be grown as a loose 2-3 foot hedge

If you could describe the flower a little by size and shape, it would be easier to guess.

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Comments (13)

JXBrown (Sunset 24, N San Diego County)
9 years ago
Was it Grewia occidentalis, Lavender starflower?
Mrs. S thanked JXBrown (Sunset 24, N San Diego County)
Mrs. S
Original Author
9 years ago
Maybe, but I think the flowers were bigger. Would lavender starflower suit my purpose? Thx!
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gyr_falcon
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Polygala (sweet pea shrub) perhaps? There is dwarf cultivar 'Petite Butterfly', as well as some other species that are grown. [ETA: Click on 2ND Image link under the Petite Butterfly's photo at the linked San Marcos growers site, for a whole-plant view.]
Mrs. S thanked gyr_falcon
gyr_falcon
9 years ago
Lavender starflowers are great plants, but vigorous growers once they get their root system established. I would not want the job of keeping one at 2'! A 4-6' hedge would be easier, but they will lose most of their flowers if hedged.
Mrs. S thanked gyr_falcon
Mrs. S
Original Author
9 years ago
I've been google searching. I'm annoying myself! Should've looked closer. It could've been a sweet pea, or maybe a reblooming lilac (I found that by googling lavender woody shrub or something similar). Anyway, do you think all of these would make a good small hedge?
gyr_falcon
9 years ago
I don't grow this polygala myself, but only because the flower color (leaning magenta) does not work well with my other landscape plants. If you want a natural hedge-row plant (not pruned into formal squared-off form), it could be a good candidate. Allow for 2-3' height and width for 'Petite Butterfly'. If you are along the coast, it will like full sun, or close to it. It is very free blooming; best in well-drained soils with regular water amounts.
Mrs. S thanked gyr_falcon
lgteacher
9 years ago
Emu bush comes in several colors including one similar to magenta. A dwarf sweet pea bush is probably what you saw. Grewia is great if you want an 8 foot hedge, and even then, you'll be trimming it all the time.
Mrs. S thanked lgteacher
Mrs. S
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks!!! You guys have given me so many great ideas!
kcandmilo
9 years ago
Could it be Hebe? I have a couple of plants that have grown to nearly a hedge under our windows
Mrs. S thanked kcandmilo
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
9 years ago
Most hebes won't stay very small.....4' (or taller) plants are much more common than 2 footers and the need for pruning to keep to size may limit flowering.

What about lavender? Lavender angustifolia offers numerous cultivars that stay very compact, 'Hidcote' and 'Munstead' being two very popular and common ones and will stay around 2'x2'. Lavender makes a great low hedging plant.
Mrs. S thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
9 years ago
Geranium 'Rozanne' is not a shrub but it will make a nice 2x2 border and flower about 10 months of the year.
Mrs. S thanked hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
faerygardener z7 CA
9 years ago
Nepeta? There are quite a few available. http://www.highcountrygardens.com/perennial-plants/nepeta/nepeta-faassenii-select-blue
Mrs. S thanked faerygardener z7 CA