Consulta Plantas

Care of the shrub Dombeya burgessiae or Pink wild pear

The genus Dombeya, family Malvaceae, includes 400 species of shrubs and trees native to Africa, Central America, and Madagascar. Some species are: Dombeya burgessiae, Dombeya wallichii, Dombeya punctata, Dombeya rotundifolia, Dombeya tiliacea, Dombeya acerifolia, Dombeya x cayeuxii.

Common names: Pink wild pear, Pink dombeya. This species is native to Southern Africa.

They are large shrubs or small trees with a rounded shape that can reach 5 meters (16.4 feet) in height. It has large, deep green leaves and a velvety texture. The scented flowers, white or pink, appear in hanging corymbs. They bloom from late summer to early winter. They produce capsule-shaped fruits that contain the seeds.

They are used as isolated specimens in private gardens and in public parks and in large pots. They can be grown by the sea but protected from the wind.

The Dombeya burgessiae prefers an exposure sheltered from the wind and without direct sun during the central hours of the day. The winter temperature should be above 4 ºC (39.2 ºF).

The soil must be well drained and contain abundant organic matter; use a light garden substrate with 20% manure or compost.

Water regularly in summer and spring; wait for the soil to dry before watering.

Fertilize every 20 days with mineral fertilizer in summer and autumn and with organic matter in early spring.

Prune intensively after flowering to maintain a compact appearance. Faded flowers should be pruned.

They do not usually have pest and disease problems.

They propagate by seeds sown in spring or by semi-mature cuttings in summer.

Images of the shrub Dombeya burgessiae or Pink wild pear