Mussaenda

[palmsOrl]

Is anyone growing this?  I'm not sure which species, I just know it is a Mussaenda and was told it is quite cold sensitive and that it is a poinsettia relative.  Also got a good deal as the original price was $75 and they just gave it to my mom free of charge.  Green's is a great nursery.

[palmsOrl]

I am pretty certain this is Massaendra philippica.

[annafl]

There are several pink mussaendas, but I think what palmsOrl suggested is probably right.  The Queen Sirikit cultivar is the one I see most.  We have one in Sarasota in a frost-free environment, and it is still borderline here.  Defoliates in winter, but does come back in spring.  This year we transplanted it to a sunnier area next to a wall and hope it will perform better.  It is so far.  We also have Mussaenda Orange Marmalade which is larger but with smaller flowers, which is quite a bit cold hardier.  Still eventually defoliates, but comes back strong.

[Really full garden]

3 hours ago, annafl said:

There are several pink mussaendas, but I think what palmsOrl suggested is probably right.  The Queen Sirikit cultivar is the one I see most.  We have one in Sarasota in a frost-free environment, and it is still borderline here.  Defoliates in winter, but does come back in spring.  This year we transplanted it to a sunnier area next to a wall and hope it will perform better.  It is so far.  We also have Mussaenda Orange Marmalade which is larger but with smaller flowers, which is quite a bit cold hardier.  Still eventually defoliates, but comes back strong.

I wish I could get Orange Marmelade here. We have the dark pink,light pink, double red , and the white one.

[Silas_Sancona]

Have heard similar advise as Anna shared. Another thing a grower in florida had mentioned was that these prefer soil conditions leaning more acidic, and can struggle in alkaline soil.  Can't remember which ones she'd said were more particular.. but Orang Marmelade was, as Anna mentioned, hardier overall. 

Can't remember who.. or when but swear someone had mentioned trying these in San Diego and doing well with what they had. Plan on doing so myself later.  

Regardless, very interesting member of the Rubiaceae, sub family Ixoroideae for sure.  Would never think they're related to Ixora, Coffee, Firebush, Portlandia, and Gardenia.

[greysrigging]

Mussaendas do very well in Darwin, very common garden plants, with lots of cultivars available in local nursuries. Adds really nice colours to the Tropical garden.
Responds well to deep mulch, water and fertilizer...
 

And easy to strike from cuttings, just 4 or 5" of soft wood cuttings, dip in some rooting powder, and plant in a sand type soil mix....and away they go....

Edited September 15, 2019 by greysrigging
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