Trying Duranta ‘Sapphire Showers’ for end-of-summer color
My late-summer garden was feeling kind of puny to me last week — before we got the November-worthy cold front yesterday that dropped Austin’s high temperature to 65 incredible-freaking degrees and brought 1-1/4 inches of rain to my garden!!
Sorry, I digress.
Before that blessed weather event happened I was feeling the late-summer doldrums, as I always do before our weather breaks in October, and so I was easily snared by this beautiful, tropical-style perennial that was waving at me at The Natural Gardener and promising to deliver flowery beauty to my summer-weary garden.
It’s Duranta ‘Sapphire Showers’, and I have to admit it’s really not my usual style of plant. It’s thirstier than I would normally buy, probably requiring twice-weekly watering to keep it going in summer. It can be cold-tender in pots. I figure I’ll enjoy it through the rest of the summer and fall and, assuming it returns in spring, however long it lasts next summer, when I tend to travel a bit and expect my plants to get by on once-a-week watering, or less if necessary.
Despite all those caveats, I’m enjoying the grape-like clusters of violet flowers on arching stems. I need to plant a groundcover underneath it though — maybe ‘Silver Falls’ ponyfoot? Then I could enjoy Sapphire Showers and Silver Falls, which has a certain ring to it.
All material © 2006-2014 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Pam, rest assured that the duranta isn’t particularly thirsty. I’ve grown one for about 6 years, though it took me three tries to get it to the right spot. It only gets watered twice monthly–along with the others it’s planted near: turk’s cap, some iris, flame acanthus, goldeneye. I always have blooms, starting about now, on this lovely thing. I guess I should go and check mine out.
Is that so? That’s good news! Mine is in a spot that gets baking sun from about 2 to 6 pm in the summer, so we’ll see how it does. Since it’s in a container, albeit a large one, I will still have to remember to water it since it won’t get hit by the sprinkler system’s once-a-week run. —Pam
I love mine – I’ve grown them for a long time – since friends gave me my first one in a pot about 13 years ago. I have white and lavender varieties as well. You’re going to love it!
I hope to see it again next summer then, Diana. —Pam
Love your blog. It is a great resource for gardeners. Have you ever thought of compiling your daily entries into a book? It would definitely be on my bookshelf
Thanks for the nice compliment, Marilyn! I am working on a second book of original material, and I hope you’ll check out my first one, Lawn Gone!, sometime. —Pam
This is a beautiful color for the garden. Enjoy it while it lasts.
I certainly shall, Lisa. —Pam
My experience with Duranta is that it dies back to roots in zone 8b in the coastal south, with a rare exception when one stays green in a mild winter in a protected in-ground site.
I expect it will certainly die back to the roots here too, Nell Jean. My bigger concern is that it will thirst to death from my appalling lack of attention next summer. —Pam
I concur with everyone else that Duranta is hardy herbaceous, and I am in Hill Country West of you, consistently averaging 5º colder (and far less rain) than Austin. My white one has been in the ground for 8+ years. Love the purple and ponyfoot would be great with it, echoing edges of plant in front nicely.
I’m beginning to wonder why I’ve never tried this plant before, Sandy! —Pam
Soooo pretty! I was thinking maybe wooly stemodia underneath – the tiny purple flowers would echo the Duranta’s more striking blossoms – though the names in tandem aren’t nearly so evocative. Something with orange flowers would be super striking as well – maybe a few marigolds just for fun?
Wooly stemodia would be fun as well, with those purple flowers. Or snake herb! Marigolds are fun, but I’d never water them enough. I really am terrible about pulling out the hose often enough in the summer. —Pam
Pam, I’m west of San Antonio and have a large duranta that hardly ever gets supplemental watering. Once it’s established it’s drought tolerant. I have light and dark purple varieties, the white, and one with lime green leaves. Not sure yet of the bloom color on that one but I really like that lighter green foliage color for variety. I’m glad you decided to try one of these great butterfly magnets!
Thanks for sharing your experience with it in the San Antonio area, Patty! —Pam
I was so excited to see this since I bought one of these plants on a whim a few years ago and have forgotten what it’s called (I do that a lot). It’s really beautiful and worth the extra watering. 🙂
Do you find yours gets particularly thirsty in the summer, Jenny? I’m feeling out anyone whose grown this plant. 🙂 —Pam
Funny how the camera/computer usually turns purple to blue — sure looks pretty! I’ve tried duranta but never got the conditions just right. Now, my sun-space is at a premium so there are tough decisions to make when those beauties wave at me from their spot in the nursery. Since we are of like mind on watering, and planting in August, you might want to try my coping-belief system of deeming summer over once we’ve had an inch of rain in September. I’m heavy into fall gardening now!
That first September rain sure does lift the spirit, doesn’t it, along with the oxblood and spider lilies! —Pam
I’m curious if the deer will nibble on it. Definitely putting this on my radar.
I believe someone told me that deer would eat it, Teresa, but now I can’t think who. —Pam
We inherited a Duranta with the house we live in – it’s huge – and we never water it. It died back to the ground this past cold winter, but came up full force. The bees and butterflies love this plant. I am sure you will, as well!
Yay, I’m so happy to hear it, Kapila. This is good news for me. —Pam
Very pretty and I like your idea of Sapphire Showers and Silver Falls!
Sometimes it’s all about the name, isn’t it? —Pam
I’ve had this Duranta in a pot for 4 years and have found it will take some water starvation before drooping to make its dismay known. However, we don’t get as hot as you do in the summer, although your death star is currently paying us an unwelcome visit.
I’m sorry to hear that the Death Star is focusing its beam on L.A. right now, Kris. We’re having a reprieve, so I guess I know where it’s turned to. —Pam
I have found the Cuban Gold Duranta to hold up to the Texas afternoon sun better than Sapphire Showers, once established. They both grow quickly and are favorites of mine. I’ve had bees, butterflies and hummers visiting simultaneously on the sapphire variety. As a bonus they also have beautiful golden berries that weigh down the limbs in a weeping arch. I just have fine sand for soil, so anything pretty that will survive is a winner for me!
Thanks for sharing the info about the gold duranta, Heidi. Maybe I’ll find room to try them both. —Pam
I live in Northern New Jersey. I have 2 Duranta’s in pots on my deck. They did beautifully this summer. I think winters here are too severe to keep them outside during the winter. Will they survive in pots indoors? If so, should they be pruned before bringing them in?
Hi, Pat. I don’t know, as I’ve never tried bringing it indoors myself. Maybe check with your local extension office to see if they have any suggestions? —Pam