Duranta
Scientific Name: Duranta erecta formorly known as Duranta repens
Common names: Golden Dewdrop, Skyflower
Plant Type: Perennial shrub or small tree (dies back to the ground during some Central Texas winters)
Lighting requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Height: 6-20 feet (depending on variety and climate) *usually about 6' in Central Texas
Width: 4-6 feet
Seasonal interest: Blue, purple, or white flowers and golden berries in late summer to fall, followed by yellow berries
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Deer resistance: Yes
Attracts: Bees, butterflies, birds
Hardiness Zones: *9-11
Soil requirements: Well-drained, loamy or sandy soil
pH range: 6.0 - 7.5
Native to: Tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas
Fun Facts: It's often grown as a specimen plant in gardens. I have a client who claims clouds of butterflies visit hers, and she has had people stop what they were doing to walk up and take pictures of the butterflies on her Duranta!
The berries are toxic to humans, but birds like them. Some Durantas have thorns, It's not super bad, though.
*They are said to be hardy to Zone 9, though I feel some varieties are just fine here in Zone 8. I'm not the biggest fan of the smaller, 'Cuban Gold' variety (I can't really put my finger on the why, just my spidey sense for now!). The variegated one adds some great foliage color though I don't think it's as cold tolerant. I have yet to see that variety bloom. I prefer the dark purple blooming one. It seems to be more weeping than the lighter purple. I suppose it would depend on the grower's stock, but this has been my observation.
*Spider-man's sixth sense warns him of something being wrong or off.
