Coleonema pulchrum

Coleonema pulchrum is nicknamed the Confetti Bush, or even Pink Breath of Heaven on its native South African shores. It is covered with tiny pale-pink flowers from the end of winter. Often confused with Diosma hirsuta 'Pink Fountain', to which it is botanically very similar, this bush has the advantage of being slightly more cold-resistant and better able to tolerate limestone soils. A little taller than its cousin, with a more upright habit, it has fine light green foliage that is pleasantly aromatic when crushed. It is a very pretty plant for a seaside garden or a dry garden. In colder regions, plant in a large pot to adorn a patio or balcony during the summer. Store the pot indoors over winter.

Coleonema pulchrum is a shrubby plant in the Rutaceae family, just like lemon trees. The genus Coleonema only has 8 species, among which C. pulchrum and C. pulchellum are considered distinct or synonymous, depending on the sources. The confetti bush is native to the Cape region in South Africa, particularly the southern coasts. It prefers light, well-drained soil, slightly acidic to slightly limestone. A mature specimen with a well-established root system will tolerate summer drought very well and withstand temperatures down to -7 to -9°C (19.4 to 15.8°F). This moderately fast-growing shrub has a bushy, upright, slightly spreading habit. It develops a low-branching stem, reaching a height of between 80 cm (32in) and 1m (3ft) (up to 1.5m (5ft) by the seaside) and a spread of 70 to 90 cm (27 to 35in). Its slender, flexible, brown branches bear light green acidic foliage on the young shoots, which darkens with time. The very fine leaves, measuring 5 to 7 mm (0.2 to 0.3 in) in length, are glandular and aromatic. When crushed, they release a spicy fragrance. They have no petioles and are arranged alternately. Flowering can begin in February, depending on the climate. It lasts for about 4 months. The star-shaped, nectar-rich flowers are no more than 7 to 8mm (0.3 in) in diameter, but they are countless. Each flower consists of 5 petals. Their candy pink colour gradually fades to a soft pink, or even white, towards the end of the season. They are followed by the formation of green, aromatic fruits with 5 chambers. Each chamber contains 1 small black seed.

Coleonema pulchrum is a graceful plant that is perfect in seaside gardens or to enhance the landscape of a dry garden. It also works well in a large rocky area. It can be planted with Mediterranean plants such as cistus, rosemary, lavender, thyme, or even Teucrium 'Azureum'. It can also be planted in a small evergreen hedge, accompanied by a bushy ceanothus ('Italian Skies', 'Concha', 'Puget Blue', 'Skylark'), Leptospermum, or even red-flowering callistemons (Callistemon rigidus), other South African plants with exotic charm. It will make a beautiful plant for a slightly heated orangery or veranda.