Fabiana imbricata (23/03/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun
Flowering period: Summer
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 2m
Eventual Spread: 2m
Hardiness: 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Family: Solanaceae
Fabiana imbricata is an evergreen shrub with an upright bushy habit. Its mid green leaves are needle like, similar to heather. Its white hermaphrodite flowers are tubular, up to 2cm long and terminal. Its fruit is a capsule and up to about 6mm long.
Fabiana imbricata, commonly known as Pichi or Pichi-Pichi, is native to Chile.
The etymological root of the binomial name Fabiana is named for Francisco Fabiano y Fuero (1719-1801), a past archbishop of Valencia. Imbricata is derived from imbricatus meaning ‘ having semicircular indentations along an edge’.
The landscape architect may find Fabiana imbricata useful for planting in poor soils. The shrub prefers a shelter location, away from drying winds. Once established this shrub is drought tolerant.
Ecologically, Fabiana imbricata flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.
The Royal Horticultural Society has given the form Fabiana imbricata f. violacea their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
Fabiana imbricata Leaf (23/03/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Fabiana imbricata prefers moist, poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil, although it may become chlorotic on shallow chalky soils.
Fabiana imbricata requires little maintenance.