Duranta repens
(du-RAN-ta)
Golden Dewdrop
VERBENACEAE
The Golden Dewdrop, also known as the Pigeonberry or Skyflower is part of a
genus of about 30 species of evergreen trees and shrubs found only in the
tropical south of the U.S. and Central and South America. It's a very
endearing flower.
It's leaves are mainly ovate, simple and sometimes toothed. They are opposite, and even sometimes whorled.
The plant is used as a great windbreak in hedges or in a border.
A rigorous grower, you can fertilize it every two weeks, but cut back
on both fertilizing and watering in dormant winter months.
It can be grown in a greenhouse as well as outdoors.
We've got one outside in a fairly shaded area but our "A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants" says "full sun. Moist, fertile soil, with a balanced fertilizer every month" (Balanced fertilizer is one with the numbers 10-10-10 or 20-20-20.)
Ours grows in mostly shade (some sun), sandy soil, no fertilizer, and we water it once a week if it has not rained
Propagation is done by seed (golden outer skin) or by rooting semi-ripe cuttings in the summer. You can also propagate by layering in the springtime.
Tip: Pinching, picking, deadheading and just plain cutting back helps a plant to stay healthy, bushy and growing.