Rostrinucula dependens (28/09/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to light shade
Flowering period: Late summer to early autumn
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 1m
Eventual Spread: 1m
Hardiness: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Family: Lamiaceae
Rostrinucula dependens is a deciduous sub shrub with a bushy habit. It will die to ground level at the colder end of it hardiness zone. Its mid green leaves are oblong to elliptic with an irregularly serrulate margin, up to 9cm long and 3cm broad. Its white/ pink/ lavender flowers appear as pendant racemes which are up to 35cm long ad 15mm in diameter.
Rostrinucula dependens Flower (28/09/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Rostrinucula dependens, commonly known as Weeping Buddleia or Weeping Rostrinucula, is native to west China.
The etymological root of the binomial name Rostrinucula is derived from the Latin rostrum meaning ‘beak, inus meaning ‘having’ and cula meaning ‘small’. Dependens is derived from the Latin dependulus meaning ‘hanging down’.
The landscape architect may find Rostrinucula dependens useful as an interesting sub shrub with late summer flowers.
Rostrinucula dependens Leaf (28/09/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Ecologically, Rostrinucula dependens flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.
Rostrinucula dependens prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Rostrinucula dependens requires little maintenance.
