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Champion Information:
Height (Ft): 41
Circumference (In): 32
Average Crown Spread (Ft): 20
Total Points: 78
Nominator Name: Frank Callahan
Location: Curry County
Species Information:
Physical Characteristics
An evergreen shrub growing to 4.5m by 4.5m at a medium rate. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). It can fix Nitrogen.
The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
Habitats and Possible Locations
Hedge, Woodland, Sunny Edge, Ground Cover.
Other Uses
Dye; Ground cover; Hedge; Soap.
A green dye is obtained from the flowers.
All parts of the plant are rich in saponins - when crushed and mixed with water
they produce a good lather which is an effective and gentle soap. This soap is
very good at removing dirt, though it does not remove oils very well. This means
that when used on the skin it will not remove the natural body oils, but nor will
it remove engine oil etc. The flowers
are a very good source, when used as a body soap they leave behind a pleasant
perfume on the skin. The developing seed cases are also a very good source of
saponins.
The sub-species C. thyrsiflorus repens is a good ground cover plant for sunny
positions, growing well on banks and reaching a height of 90cm.
Plants can be grown as a hedge in exposed maritime areas though they do not
succeed in the most exposed positions and can be slow to establish.
Cultivation details
Prefers a warm sunny
position but tolerates light shade. Tolerates some lime, but will not succeed
on shallow chalk. Tolerant of maritime exposure.
A very ornamental plant, it is hardy to about -10°c. The sub-species C.
thyrsiflorus repens. McMinn. is somewhat hardier, to about -15°c.
A plant has reached 6 metres tall at Kew in an
exposed position, but is damaged in severe winters.
Plants dislike root disturbance, they should be planted out into their
permanent positions whilst still small. A fast-growing plant, it flowers well
when young.
Dislikes heavy pruning, it is best not to cut out any wood thicker than a
pencil. Plants flower on the previous year's growth, if any pruning is
necessary it is best carried out immediately after flowering has finished.
Constant pruning to keep a plant small can shorten its life.
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus.
Some members of this genus have a symbiotic relationship with certain soil
micro-organisms, these form nodules on the roots of the plants and fix
atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant
but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.
From Plants for a Future: www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/
