Other Names:  x Phylliopsis

Description:

A heath-like dwarf shrub that is covered in striking hot pink-lavender bell flowers in spring; a compact mounded habit makes it perfect for containers, as a garden accent, or as an underplanting

Ornamental Features

Pinocchio Phylliopsis features showy panicles of hot pink bell-shaped flowers with lavender overtones at the ends of the branches from mid to late spring, which emerge from distinctive red flower buds. The flowers are excellent for cutting. It has dark green evergreen foliage which emerges coppery-bronze in spring. The small oval leaves remain dark green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Pinocchio Phylliopsis is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a mounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting bees and butterflies to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Pinocchio Phylliopsis is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Pinocchio Phylliopsis will grow to be about 14 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 18 inches. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for rich, acidic soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by cuttings; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Pinocchio Phylliopsis makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers against which the thriller plants stand out. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.