Muehlenbeckia astonii

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Muehlenbeckia astonii
Light:Full Sun Part Shade
Moisture:Mesic
Soil pH:5.6-8.4
Evergreen
Height:6'
Edible Rating:PFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility Rating
Tea:Yes
Poisonous

Muehlenbeckia astonii

Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8 cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Pot up in autumn and overwinter in a cold frame. High percentage[1]. Plant out in late spring.

Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, 5 - 10cm with a heel, October/November in a cold frame. High percentage[1].

Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors at least in the milder parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.

Requires a well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade[2].

A climbing plant that supports itself by twining around other plants etc[3].

Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Range: New Zealand.

Habitat: Coastal to lowland on riverbeds and terraces between latitudes 41° 30' and 43°south on North and South Islands[4].

Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked. Sweet and juicy[5].

Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.

Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.

In Leaf: Evergreen

Flower Type: Dioecious

Links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
  2. Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
  3. Grey-Wilson, Christopher and Victoria Matthews. Gardening on Walls. Collins, 1983.
  4. Allan, Harry. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer Publications, 1961.
  5. Crowe, Andrew. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton, 1990.