Colletia paradoxa

Description

Colletia paradoxa is an amazing South American native with a big attitude!  This spiny shrub is often known as ‘The Anchor Plant’ or ‘Crucifix Thorn’ and was formerly known as ‘Colletia cruciata’.  These obscure names all speak to the extraordinary form of this fabulous plant – it’s spiny and the branches form fleshy flat, triangular, outward facing spines which only a fool would argue with. The stems/spines are a wonderful glaucous blue-green.  

The form is wonderful and Colletia paradoxa will eventually reach 8-10 feet in height and spread although it can be pruned as required.  Small creamy-white tubular flowers will appear during late summer through arutumn – the flowers are sweetly fragranced – almost a juxtoposition to the fierce structure of this amazing plant.

Don’t be put off by the spines – this is a beautiful specimen and can be grown in free draining soil in sun or partial shade.