Botanical name | Barleria obtusa |
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Plant Care |
![]() Full Sun
Full Sun – Prefers 6 or more hours of sun per day. ![]() Half Sun
Half Sun – Prefers 3 To 6 Hours of Sunlight a Day. ![]() Semi Frost Hardy
Semi Frost Hardy – Is Able to Survive Moderately Low Temperatures. ![]() Low Watering
Low Watering – Requires Little Water. ![]() Pruning Required
Pruning Required – Needs to be Pruned. ![]() Indigenous
Indigenous – Originates in South Africa. |
Size | |
Categories | |
Flowers | May June This plant bears a mass of blue mauve, purple or pink flowers during May and June. |
Common name(s) | Bush violet |
Origin | |
Uses in landscape design | Garden Design Types: Indigenous gardening. Excellent for planting on banks or slopes and warmer dry areas. |
Drought tolerance | High |
Planting instructions | Planting: Dig a hole 60cm square and deep. Mix two thirds of topsoil with one third compost, add one cup of bone meal or superphosphate and mix well. |
Maintenance | Needs severe winter pruning. |
Propagation | It spreads by suckering and seeding. |
Recommended varieties | B. repens ‘Tickled Pink’ has lovely pink flowers and shiny foliage. It does not grow as high as the bush violet. |
Barleria obtusa (Bush violet)
- Botanical name: Barleria obtusa
- Common name(s): Bush violet
- Categories: Shrubs and Perennials
Plant description:
This medium to large-sized indigenous shrub with a scrambling growth habit is ideal for the warmer parts of the country. The dark green foliage is covered in fine hairs. It bears a mass of mauve-blue flowers in April, May and June. It is relatively fast growing and spreads by suckering and seeding and needs severe winter pruning. Excellent for planting on banks and in dry areas in the warmer parts of the country.
Family: Acanthaceae
Botanical Pronunciation: bar-LEH-ree-uh ob-TOO-sah.
Barleria obtusa requirements and features

Moderate Maintenance
Requires moderate maintenance.
May June
This plant bears a mass of blue mauve, purple or pink flowers during May and June.
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