Luculia gratissima | Fragrant Pearl

This shrub is considered both rare and unusual and has attractive lush green foliage with clusters of soft whitish blushed pale pink flowers and sweetly fragrant flowers.

Plants start to flower in late autumn, with the main flush appearing around mid to late May. 

They are easy to grow in any frost-free site and prefer to be in full sun, but they will cope with some shade from surrounding trees or structures. Because they like warm temperatures, they also like warm soils, but they also like good drainage.

Luculias are considered to be tough, resilient plants and will happily grow in borders next to the foundations of the house or garage - They are evergreen and with attractive bright green leaves, with the added bonus of looking great all year round. They do shed some leaves throughout the year so can look a little sparse from time to time but the colouring of the leaves before they drop are in lovely tones of red or orange.

Plan your Luculia's planting position carefully as it can be temperamental to shift once established. Before planting ensure that the root-ball is saturated by soaking the plant in a bucket of water and remove the planter bag with the minimum of root disturbance taking care not to damage the surface roots.

Luculia can be cut back heavily directly after flowering or in spring, and this will then give your plant eleven months to re grow and produce flowers the following season. 

This is particularly necessary if you choose to grow this shrub in a large pot so that the flowers can be appreciated at a reasonable height. Stems can be reduced by one half or more. When the weather is mild and conducive for new growth, the old wood can be cut back to nearly the trunk and usually will quickly resprout. Heavy pruning after flowering can produce a shorter more dense shrub with many flowering stems. Cut out all weak growth and crossing or inwardly growing branches to encourage strong healthy stems which will bloom the next flowering season. 

Luculias are naturally tidy shrubs, but if they get too big for you, they are easily pruned. You can, and we have had to cut one back very hard after it got frosted and it came away again as they quite quickly regenerate with new growth and will flower the following winter.

Super pretty and beautifully scented, we think this attractive shrub deserves a spot in your garden.

Frost tender

Height :: 2.5m x 2.5m Wide

Pot size :: 3.5 litre