Care of the shrub Diosma ericoides or Breath of heaven |
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The genus Diosma, family Rutaceae, includes nearly 200 species of flowering plants. Some species are: Diosma ericoides, Diosma alba, Diosma acuta, Diosma hirsuta, Diosma subulata. Common names: Breath of heaven, Diosma, Buchu. It's very common for these plants to be sold as Diosma when in reality it is the Coleonema pulchellum plant which is a larger shrub but very similar in its characteristics and care. They are small evergreen shrubs with a rounded shape and rapid growth, reaching 50 cm (1.64 feet) in height. The foliage consists of small, fine, pointed, dark green aromatic leaves. The abundant flowers are small, star-shaped, and can be white or pink. They bloom from mid-winter to late spring; they are able to re-bloom in other seasons of the year. Breath of heaven is used in rockery, on very sunny slopes, in low hedges, in pots or as isolated specimens. Diosma ericoides needs full sun exposure for good flowering. It resists well the high temperatures and frosts until -8 ºC (17.6 ºF). Buchu can grow in poor and dry soil but they appreciate a substrate that contains organic matter and is very well drained. The pot transplant is done in early autumn. Breath of heaven is a very resistant to drought plant; always water moderately waiting for the soil to dry out. Fertilize with a little compost in the fall. Prune the longest branches slightly (after spring flowering) to maintain a rounded bearing. Diosma ericoides is a resistant plant to the usual pests and diseases. Breath of heaven propagates by seeds sown in spring or by cuttings in summer. |
Images of the shrub Diosma ericoides or Breath of heaven |
 Diosma ericoides  Diosma ericoides |