Pimelea prostrata
| Pimelea prostrata | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 0.3' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Pimelea prostrata
Propagation: Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in the autumn if this is possible, otherwise in early spring. 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. Give the plants some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July/August in a frame[1].
Softwood cuttings 5cm long in late spring[1].
Cultivation: Prefers a lime-free peaty well-drained loam[1]. Prefers a deep cool root run in a sunny position[2].
This species is not very hardy in Britain, the plants usually require greenhouse protection but they could succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of the country if given protection from severe weather[3]. They tolerate frosts down to about -5°c if growing in a sheltered position in a well-drained soil[1] and can be grown in the rock garden or scree[1].
Rather slow growing[1]. Flowers are produced on the tips of the previous seasons growth.
Plants may suffer from sudden die back[1].
Hermaphrodite and dioecious forms exist.
Range: New Zealand.
Habitat: Dry open places in coastal to sub-alpine rocky, stony or gravelly sites, river terraces, grassland, open shrubland and fell field in North and South Islands[4].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[5][6]. Up to 2mm in diameter[1]. The fruits can be fleshy or dry[1].
Usage: Plants form carpets and can be grown as a ground cover[7]. They are best spaced about 30cm apart each way[7].
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: P. coarctata.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Allan, Harry. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer Publications, 1961.
- ↑ Brooker, Stanley. Economic Native Plants of New Zealand. Oxford University Press, 1991.
- ↑ Crowe, Andrew. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton, 1990.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Thomas, Graham. Plants for Ground Cover. Everyman, 1990.