Philippine Violet (Barleria cristata)

Wow, that's a beautiful shrub. Is it hard to care for?

Hi, there. This is a specimen plant at the nursery where I purchase most of my plants. It is a very large specimen growing in a huge container. I asked how old it was because I have admired it for quite a few years and was told that it is about 7 years old. Each year it just gets bigger and better. I'll find out what kind of care the staff has given it and let you know. They have never offered one for sale or I missed them when they did. I have been tempted to snatch a piece, but I have trouble pruning my own plants after hearing on a science television program the moaning sounds they make! You might want to email the people who have made positive statements about it. Thanks for your comments. :o)

Thanks htop! I bet they'd even give you a cutting if you asked considering they don't offer it for sale. And don't be afraid to prune your plants, you just have to learn which ones like it in the spring and which ones like it in the fall. Good luck...

Is this plant in the sun?

It is shaded by the outer branches of an oak tree for part of the day, but receives some direct sun in the afternoon. Thanks for asking.:o)

This message was edited Wednesday, Oct 15th 5:04 PM

Really pretty plant! Interesting to see in the plants database that it comes in so many colors. I think I like this one the best! Thanks for posting it!

I did not know that it has so many different colored blooms either. This is the only color of bloom I have ever observed and I like it best too. Of the other colors, I especially like the pink one. Thanks for your comments. It is good to know that somebody is looking at the photos and taking the time to post a message. :o)

Groovytee, I prune my plants, but it always seems to hurt me to do so even though they will do better after the pruning. I completed a lot of premedicine courses in college and then stopped with minor in biology. I discovered I was too sensitive to be a doctor. It was hard for me to dissect a cat in comparative anatomy. In the next course I would have to dissect a human corpse and I knew I couldn't do it. Guess I am just a little wacky!! :o)

Oh, htop! I couldn't do that either! But I find I love to prune! Especially now that I have my neat felcos. I think I just like to even things up. I don't think I do it for the plants benefit, just mine! So maybe I'm "whacky" too!

htop, That's some story! Sorry to hear it didn't work out for you to be a doctor, wasn't your calling I guess. I'm searching for one of these plants now, you know. It's all your fault, LOL. Good luck!

groovytee, Teaching was my destiny. I taught elementary school for 27 years and taught teachers how to use compuiers and computer applications for 3 years. A retired for 3 whole weeks and now am a computer technician for a school district part-time. I loved teaching and the students I taught. Hope you find a Philippine violet. I do not know if there are seeds available if you can not locate a plant. Happy hunting! :o)

I got a Phillippean violet last November from a friend. Broke the top off accidentally and stuck it in some potting soil. The base grew to 5 feet x 4 ft and the top grew to 5 ft x 2 ft. (in 6 months). These plants are incredibly easy to propagate --- clip off a piece under one of the leaf pairs, dip in a little root harmone and that's it. Clip off the terminal bud to make them branch and become more bushy then plant the trimmings. So far, started 15 plants and had successful starts with 15 plants. Just keep the cuttings out of direct sun. Mine grows best in full sun. Good evergreen plants are not very easy to find. This one is a keeper!

Wow! Thanks for sharing this information. I had no idea that you could root them this easily. The ones I have seen here at nurseries (when you can find one) are very expensive. Do you have yours planted in the ground and, if so, do they freeze back?

I planted four of these last year in morning sun and they did quite well blooming throughout the spring, summer and fall. However, after our winter here with two light freezes, the leaves are half-dark and the plant does not look too well. Did you leave your's in the ground over the winter, and if so, how did they do? Do you think they will regenerate? Do you think it would be beneficial to top them off? If so, I think I will try to start new ones with the pruned tops. I did not know they were so easy to propagate.

lennalanders,
I have mine planted in the ground and they die back every winter but come right back in the spring. Yours should do the same thing.
Mary

They also make plenty of seed. When the flower turns brown leave them on the bush and a long flat seed will form in the center of each bloom. I pull them off after they are dry.

This message was edited Feb 20, 2008 8:46 PM

Mines is planted in the ground on the southside of my house. The first 2 years it was in the ground, I wrapped it in frost cloth when there was going to be a hard, long freeze. Last winter, it received quite a bit of damage when unprotected. This winter, I did not protect and does not appear to have much damage at all despite some hard, long freezes. Your plant will be okay even if it dies back to the ground as busybee states. I would wait until the weather warms a bit to determine had badly and how far down the stems/branches are damaged if at all. Just the leaves might be burned. They will turn brown and you can pull the browned leaves off when they dry and see if new ones sprout out. By waiting, you can determine exactly how far down the stems/branches need to be cut back if they are damaged because no new leaves sprout out on the damaged parts. Or you can keep tip cutting the stems until you find where the damaged stops. A nondamaged stem will be green on the outside and the inside will not be mushy looking nor brownish. A damaged stem will be mushy or brown on the outside and hollow or muchy on the inside. My plant is shedding some leaves now; but, they are not blackish. This plant normally sheds a few leaves this time of year. However, you can cut them back if you want because they grow back very quickly once it warms up. If your plants have received damage that makes them mishappened, I would definetly top them. Let me know what you find out.