Care of the shrub Combretum bracteosum or Hiccup nut |
The genus Combretum, family Combretaceae, comprises 370 species of trees and shrubs native to South Africa, Madagascar and tropical regions of Africa, America and Asia. Some species are: Combretum bracteosum, Combretum kraussii, Combretum caffrum, Combretum micranthum, Combretum beardless, Combretum padoides, Combretum edwardsii. Common names: Hiccough-nut, Hiccup nut, Hiccough creeper. This species is native to KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, in South Africa. They are deciduous shrubs or trees that reach 4 meters (13.12 feet) in height. They have deep green oval leaves with very marked nerves. The showy and abundant inflorescences have red or orange flowers; they bloom from late spring to mid-summer. These fast-growing plants are used to form informal hedges, windbreaks, as isolated specimens, in pergolas, and alongside walls. Hiccough-nut is an ideal plant for Mediterranean coastal gardens. Combretum bracteosum prefers full sun exposure. It can withstand light and occasional frosts. Hiccup nut can live in any well-drained soil; they prefer sandy soils. Hiccough creeper is quite resistant to drought; water moderately waiting for the substrate to dry. Fertilize with a little compost in late winter. Hiccup nut accepts training pruning well after flowering to maintain a compact or arboreal appearance. Combretum bracteosum is a quite resistant plant to the usual pests and diseases. Hiccough creeper propagates by cuttings in spring or summer and by seeds sown in spring previously soaked one day before sowing. |
Images of the shrub Combretum bracteosum or Hiccup nut |