Heimia myrtifolia
Heimia myrtifolia
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
Heimia myrtifolia is native to warm temperate and subtropical regions in eastern S. America. It is not a very cold-tolerant plant, but has been shown to tolerate short periods with temperatures falling to around -10[1]. If it is cut back by severe weather the plant will often resprout from the base the following spring[1]. Easily grown in any well-drained soil in full sun[1]. Especially in colder areas, this plant is best grown against a sunny wall and given a good mulch of bracken in the winter[1]. Flowers are produced on the current seasons growth[1]. This species is closely related to Heimia salicifolia, differing mainly in having smaller flowers[2]. Any pruning is best carried out in early spring by removing excess growth at the base of the plant[1].
Propagation
Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in spring in a greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle. Grow the young plants on for at least their first winter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring or early summer. Mulch the roots well in the autumn to protect them from the cold. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame[1]. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Heimia+myrtifolia>
Pollinators
Bees
References
- [1]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
- [2]Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. — Bean. W. · Murray · 1981 · ISBN - ↩︎A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
- [3]Narcotic Plants — Emboden. W. · Studio Vista · 1979 · ISBN 0-289-70864-8 ↩︎A lot of details about the history, chemistry and use of narcotic plants, including hallucinogens, stimulants, inebriants and hypnotics.
- [4]Heimia salicifolia: a phytochemical and phytopharmacologic review — Malone M.H. & Rother A. · 1994 ↩︎