Muehlembeckia

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Polygonaceae

Order

Caryophyllales

Genus

Muehlenbeckia

Species

axillaris

Description

Vigorous herbaceous perennial with abundant and decorative foliage; the semi-recumbent or ground cover makes it ideal for planters or hanging baskets, also in compositions with other ornamental species, as well as for creating dense monochrome ground covers in flower beds. Rustic, it tolerates high and low temperatures well, adapting to both full sun and half shade. Easy to grow, it requires soil free of waterlogging.

Varietal description

Muehlenbeckia complexa is a perennial plant with decorative leaves; it is very hardy and likes well-drained soil, but also adapts to medium soil. Also suitable for the rock garden, in large pots and tubs. The preferred exposure is sun but it also does well in half-shade. It has small flowers, not important for decoration. The leaves are small and round, with a unique decorative effect. The habit is creeping and drooping.

curiosity and special features

For its elegant and abundant foliage, muehlenbeckia is appreciated by landscapers and garden designers worldwide.

Origin and Diffusion

A native species of Australia and New Zealand, now widespread in all temperate climate zones.

Flower size

The flower is small; the plant is prized for its decorative foliage.

Leaf

The leaf has a distinctive round leaf blade.

Flowering period

It flowers from early to mid-summer for a duration of 30 to 40 days.

Leaf color

Leaf Solid colour.

Plant height

The plant height varies from 0.13 to 0.4 m, which is ideal for creating dense and uniform coverage.

Lifespan

Perennial evergreen or semi-evergreen plant depending on climatic conditions.

Suggested planting locations

Because of its ornamental foliage and its tapestry or drooping habit, it is used to provide a unique decorative accent in flowerbeds, borders, planters, large pots, vertical walls

Stem/stem

Semi-woody stem, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is small in size and has solid-coloured petals. It flowers from early to mid-summer, with a flowering period of between 30 and 40 days. It is not particularly attractive to pollinating insects.

Growth

Variety with medium to vigorous growth, ideal for dense and dense end results.

Plant habit

Plant with a semi-recumbent, ground cover, perfect for use in flowerbeds and planters as well as for creating green walls.

branching

Theabundant branching gives the foliage a lush and luxuriant habitus.

pH

The optimal pH of the soil or substrate is between 5.5 and 6.8.

soil preparation

Before transplanting into the bed, carry out light digging, removing any weeds and bulky stones. Continue by breaking up coarser clods with a hoe and, if the soil is too compact and poorly draining, bury sand. Finally, add professional-quality substrate to the surface by approx. 5/10 cm and carefully level out.

sun exposure

Widely versatile, it adapts to exposures in half-shade, shade, full sun.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 12 and 22 °C. The biological temperature is between 5 and 36 °C; tolerates high and low temperatures.

Use

Due to the ornamental value of its foliage, it is widely used in:

Ornamental Landscaping

Hardiness

Highly hardy, the variety adapts well to soil and climate situations not always tolerated by other ornamental species.

Soil/medium

It prefers a medium-textured or sandy, fertile and well-draining soil; for use in pots and planters, a substrate for spring plants based on peat and perlite is recommended.

Maintenance

An extremely easy variety to grow, the level of management effort is low, adding value to the plant.

cultivation tips

For perfect vegetative growth, it is recommended to

Keep the substrate dry at low temperatures

Composition

Ideal for creating dense, homogenous groups as well as in mixed compositions with other ornamentals such as Achillea millefolium, Achillea tomentosa, Calocephalus brownii, Festuca glauca, Heuchera americana, Heuchera sanguinea, Iberis sempervirens , taking care to apply the correct planting density as muehlenbeckia with its ground cover and vigorous growth can overwhelm neighbouring plants.

planting

An average bedding density of 6 plants per square metre is recommended to achieve a proportionate and formally balanced overall composition.

Place each seedling with the collar off the soil surface, ensuring that the root ball is well moistened without damaging the roots and watering immediately after transplanting, avoiding water stagnation.

Reproduction/Propagation

It is multiplied mainly by cuttings.

potting

Repot if the root system has completely enveloped the substrate; use larger pots or planters.

Irrigation

Does not tolerate water stagnation; use rainwater, alternatively canal water with optimal neutral pH, either manually or by irrigation. When transplanting, assist the seedling at the new site by avoiding both excessive watering and dryness, then allow the soil or substrate to dry slightly between each irrigation.

Fertilization

During the spring-summer period, apply a specific fertiliser for ornamental plants to the soil or substrate, to be distributed in liquid form, i.e. diluted in the irrigation water, without exceeding the frequency and doses applied.

Pet friendly

Ingestion toxicity not known; consider case-specific and do not administer.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Human toxicity

Ingestion toxicity not known, avoid ingestion.

advise 1

It tolerates both cold and heat as well as occasional dry spells. For these reasons, it tends to become invasive and can be recommended as a rustic ground cover in low-maintenance flowerbeds or in delicate and demanding structures such as vertical outdoor green walls.