The golden dewdrop plant, or duranta, is a tropical powerhouse that grows quickly and has stunning blossoms. These plants also make excellent warm-season annuals because of their rapid growth and ability to grow fairly tall (some types may reach heights of over 15 feet). They can even be grown inside. Many duranta cultivars are grown mainly for their blue flowers, but they are also prized for their exceedingly attractive golden leaves.

Durantea is a stunner with its vivid blue blossoms. Every bloom has a vivid blue hue with a white border, however some have dazzling white and others have subtle violet-blue tones. In regions where they are hardy, several types bloom all year round. The plants continue to display their golden berries after flowering, which is how the term “golden dewdrop” got its start.

Furthermore, the leaves may be decorative. It has plain green leaves that have an attractive glossiness in most cases, although there are also variegated duranta types. There are varieties with solid golden leaves, light green leaves with a golden border around the center, and variegated white or cream leaves.

The berries of these bushes are very poisonous, therefore use caution while sitting duranta.1. Keep kids and pets away from them. Except that birds love to eat them and are immune to their poisons.

Where to Plant Duranta

Except for USDA zones 9–11, where it grows as a shrub, duranta is an annual in gardens throughout all other areas. Additionally, it may be cultivated in pots and brought indoors when the weather becomes chilly. For optimal bloom production, the plant requires full light and a space large enough to accommodate its massive size.

The plants grow up to a couple of feet when cultivated as annuals. This plant grows swiftly to a height of 15 feet or more as a shrub in zones 9–11, and it works well as a privacy screen.

Because duranta tolerates salt, it’s a fantastic plant for coastal gardening.

Ways and Times for Planting Duranta

Plant duranta in a space large enough to accommodate the plant’s mature growth in the spring. Create a hole that is twice as large as the root ball of the plant and deep enough for the root ball’s top to be half an inch above the dirt. Using a shovel, break up any dirt that has been taken from the hole and loosen the earth inside; this soil will be utilized as backfill after planting.

After giving the plant some water in its nursery container, take it out and use your hands to loosen the roots. Any roots that closely encircle the root ball should be cut off. After placing the plant in the hole, partially fill it with the dirt that was set aside. To avoid air pockets, tamp it. When the plant gets about three-quarters full, repeat this process, and then again when it is slightly over the soil line.

Tips for Taking Care of Duranta

Depending on your region, duranta may be grown as a shrub or an annual that is very simple to cultivate.

Brightness

For these plants, full light is ideal since it will encourage healthier habits and prevent them from becoming stray as in the shadow. Full sun also promotes significantly greater flower output. The plant can tolerate little shade, although it will not bloom as well in a gloomy spot.

Water and Soil

Fertile, wet, well-drained soils are ideal for duranta plant growth. If the soil drains effectively, they may tolerate different types of soil.

Till duranta plants get established, give them regular irrigations. Following that, the plants need at least one inch of water or rain every week. If they wilt, a little water will make them swiftly recover.

Humidity and Temperature

Heat and humidity are ideal for duranta plants. They cannot withstand temperatures much below 40°F when cultivated as annuals. When the temperature reaches this level, move the plant indoors if it is housed in a container.

Apply fertilizer

Duranta plants are not heavy feeders, thus they don’t need extra fertilizer when they grow in rich soil. On the other hand, if your soil is rocky or poor, follow the manufacturer’s directions and apply an all-purpose general fertilizer once a month throughout the growth season.

Pruning Duranta grows quite quickly. To maintain the plant’s finest appearance, periodic trimming is required. Although duranta often has a semi-weeping habit, you may maintain the plant trimmed to the point where it forms spherical bushes. Although these plants are resilient, it is advisable to keep them away from walkways and pathways when planting them since they will rapidly dominate them and need ongoing care. Another reason to keep them off of walkways is the little thorns on the branches of several species.

Duranta: Planting and Repotting

When planting duranta in pots, use a regular potting mix that drains well and apply slow-release fertilizer according to the manufacturer’s instructions. When the weather becomes cold, move the container indoors or place it next to a south-facing surface to stay warm. Temperatures in the 20s are seldom tolerated by duranta plants, even in cold-hardy regions. For the winter, they die down to the ground or container soil level, only to reappear the next year.

Problems and Pests

Although duranta is generally resistant to illness, it may be affected by mealy bugs, white flies, and scale, which can all be managed using neem oil or insecticidal soap.

Because many duranta plants contain thorns, handling them should be done carefully. Not many are without thorns. Verify with the nursery since some plants that are thornless when they are young eventually grow thorns.

Methods for Growing Duranta

Stem cuttings are a simple method of propagating Duranta plants. In the summer, take a 6-inch cutting and remove the lower leaves. Plant the cut end in a container with potting mix after dipping it in rooting powder. Till you see fresh growth, keep the potting mix wet.

Although most duranta plants are hybrids, you may collect seeds from plants to propagate duranta, but the plants you get won’t be faithful to the parent. After removing the berries’ seeds, press them into the potting mix. If you can keep them in a warm place (about 70°F), they should germinate in a month or two.

Duranta Types

“Gold Edge” Duranta

Induranta erecta The main reason for growing the cultivar “Gold Edge” is for its leaves. Rich green foliage with a brilliant gold edge adorn “Gold Edge” plants. Orange berries develop in the summer, followed by light blue blooms. Zones 9–11

Duranta’s “Sapphire Showers”

‘Sapphire Showers’ by Duranta erecta is a very floriferous choice. In tropical settings, deep blue blossoms with a white border envelop plants throughout the summer and all year round. Zones 9–11

Duranta White

Duranta ‘Alba’ produces yellow fruit after pure-white blooms. It may reach up to 6 feet in height as a tropical shrub and 1-2 feet as an annual.

“Variegata” Duranta

Growers cultivate Duranta erecta ‘Variegata’ for its exquisite variegated leaves. This cultivar has blue summer flowers along with green foliage that are extensively trimmed in creamy yellow. It grows quickly to a height of 15 feet. Zones 9–11

Impatiens Duranta Companion Plants

These shade-loving plants, which look great both in pots and in the ground, bloom in almost every hue except genuine blue. You may be able to grow impatiens inside year-round if you have a light place.

Vine Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potato vine is one of the most often used plants for container gardens. It grows quickly and is sure to attract attention. Its vibrant foliage, which comes in colors of purple and chartreuse, complements almost any other plant. If you grow a couple at a time in a huge pot, they will look great by themselves. Sweet potato vines thrive in wet, well-drained soil and perform best in the summer months. Both sun and shade are good for them.

Tweedia

Tweedia is the flower for you if you like blue blossoms. Tweedia has gorgeous blue flowers on grayish-felted leaves throughout the whole growing season. The fragrant five-petalled blossoms provide great fragrance to any arrangement when clipped. Tweedia is a small vine that reaches a height of two to three feet. It twines around trellises or other short supports. (For a realistic support, try inserting a clipping from a shrubby limb into the ground.)