Mussaenda erythrophylla, commonly called Ashanti blood or Red mussaenda originated from West Africa. Mussaenda then became popular in South East Asia, India, and Florida.
This shrub grows well in the tropics and can grow to a height of approximately 10-15 feet.
However, in most gardens the height ranges from 3-5 feet. This ornamental plant is covered with medium to dark green leaves with strong veins, as well as flowers almost non-stop throughout the year.
Each flower is composed of a small creamish white corolla with 5 lobed, funnel shaped petals, with a crimson centre together with an enlarged bright red bract (sepal). It is these stunning blood red bracts that earn it the name Ashanti blood.
This attractive cultivar together with Mussaenda phillippica – Aurora, named after Doña Aurora, the wife of a former President of the Philippines, are the proud parents of the hybrid Mussaenda, Queen Sirikit, which was developed in the Philippines and has magnificent pale pink bracts. Many other Mussaenda varieties were developed in the Philippines and there is also Mussaenda fondosa from India.The shrub comes in colours of red, light pink, dark pink and white.
It was brought to Guyana and the Caribbean and has adjusted well here. It is planted in parks and gardens and is used in many landscaping projects.
Plant Mussaenda outdoors in well-drained soil, and add some well-rotted manure to it. Water
daily once the sun is up and fertilize with Miracle Gro Bloom Booster or Blue Corn once every two weeks. Remember to prune plants after the flowering season. It can grow from cuttings, and plants are available at plant shops and nurseries.
Until next week, happy gardening!
