From the Andes, Desfontainia spinosa is a handsome, medium-sized to large, slow-growing, evergreen shrub with an upright habit and glossy, deep green, holly-like leaves. Bright scarlet tubular flowers with a yellow tip 4cm long are produced from July, and white or yellow green berries may follow. Not reliably hardy in the coldest areas, and may succumb in exceptionally cold winters. Be aware that this plant can be used as a hallucinogen. Spiny desfontainia holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.
Site: Sheltered Soils: Moist, well-drained, neutral to acid soils Position: Partial shade Season of interest: All year Hardiness: Fairly hardy Height eventually to 8’ (2.5m) Spread to 8’ (2.5m)
