Barleria albostellata

This medium to large shrub produces beautiful white tubular flowers from September to January. In contrast to the flowers, the leaves are grey-green and conspicuously velvety/hairy.

Barleria cristata

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Grows into a shapely shrub with minimal pruning. The trumpet-shaped 2" long flowers openin in terminal clusters in November and continue into mid-December. This is an easy-to-grow shrub, about 3ft height, which can be used for a garden hedge or tightly clipped into geometrical shapes. On the most common variety, the tubular flowers are varying shades of mauve; there is also one with pure white flowers and another with flowers striped in mauve and white. Barleria involucrata is similar to B. cristata except that both leaves and blooms are larger and the flower color is blue-lilac. B. prionitis is a spiny bush with orange flowers. Barleria is easily propagated from cuttings planted in fall directly in the ground. It requires some sun to flower profusely and occasional pruning to promote bushy growth. See Var. Striped, Var. Alba.

Barleria cristata Alba

Grows into a shapely shrub with minimal pruning. The trumpet-shaped 2" long flowers openin in terminal clusters in November and continue into mid-December. This is an easy-to-grow shrub, about 3ft height, which can be used for a garden hedge or tightly clipped into geometrical shapes. On the most common variety, the tubular flowers are varying shades of mauve; there is also one with pure white flowers and another with flowers striped in mauve and white. Barleria involucrata is similar to B. cristata except that both leaves and blooms are larger and the flower color is blue-lilac. B. prionitis is a spiny bush with orange flowers. Barleria is easily propagated from cuttings planted in fall directly in the ground. It requires some sun to flower profusely and occasional pruning to promote bushy growth. See B. cristata var. Striped, var. blue-lilac.

Barleria cristata Lavender Lace

Grows into a shapely shrub with minimal pruning. The trumpet-shaped 2" flowers openin in terminal clusters in November and continue into mid-December. This is an easy-to-grow shrub, about 3ft height, which can be used for a garden hedge or tightly clipped into geometrical shapes. On the most common variety, the tubular flowers are varying shades of mauve; there is also one with pure white flowers and another with flowers striped in mauve and white. Barleria involucrata is similar to B. cristata except that both leaves and blooms are larger and the flower color is blue-lilac. B. prionitis is a spiny bush with orange flowers. Barleria is easily propagated from cuttings planted in fall directly in the ground. It requires some sun to flower profusely and occasional pruning to promote bushy growth. See var. blue-lilac, var. Alba.

Barleria elegans

Very decorative herbaceous evergreen shrub, white flowers in autumn.

See picture of related species (Barleria cristata Alba).

Barleria lupulina

Shrubbery plants with single dark green leaves, red-brown branches, and flowers that bloom in clusters. Traditional and therapeutic use is anti-inflammatory for insect bites, herpes simplex use by its fresh leaves, and roots for anti-inflammatory centipede bites.

Barleria micans, Barleria oenotheroides

The genus was named in honor of Jacques Barrelier, a 17th century French botanist. B. micans is a sub-shrub growing to a height of 4 to 5 feet. The pointed-elliptic leaves are up to 5 inches long. The yellow flowers are borne in terminal green spikes about 2" to 3" long. Winter bloomer, zone 10 or higher.

Barleria obtusa

Barleria obtusa, the bush violet, occurs naturally along forest margins in the summer rainfall region of South Africa where it is widely cultivated as a decorative garden shrub and used medicinally. It is an evergreen multi-stemmed shrublet with a sprawling habit. The branches have an erect or decumbent habit. The size of the plant varies when planted in different growing environments.

The soft, sage green leaves are oppositely placed and have entire margins with fine translucent hairs. A characteristic feature is that the leaves are reflexed (the margins are upturned).

Clusters of 1 inch wide blue flowers appear at the branch tips in the fall and winter. The flower petals are borne on the top part of the branch. A closer look at the individual flower will reveal the style and only two stamens with violet colored pollen.

Plant in full sun or partial shade, water infrequently - once established is quite a drought tolerant in coastal gardens. Hardy to 20-25° F. In deep shade plants often grow taller and clamber up if supported by other plants or structures. Can reseed a bit in the garden but not to the extent of being pesky.

This great soft rounded low shrub for the garden that is attractive to bees, butterflies, and nectar feeding birds.

Barleria prionitis

Barleria repens, Barleria galpinii

It usually forms a rounded to spreading bushy shrub, 2 ft high by 3 ft wide, but sometimes also climbs/leans into nearby trees and shrubs (up to 6 ft!). New branches tend to root as they touch ground, so this plant can quickly increase its territory if not kept under surveillance. Evergreen, it has soft, shiny, dark green leaves. Flowers are fairly large, and are a deep purple-mauve or pink-red, appearing from late spring to autumn. This plant is easily propagated from cuttings. Always provide good, light, well-drained soil and plenty of compost and other organic material. Water well in summer, but much less in winter. Pest-free and fairly frost-tolerant, it can take sun or light shade.