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Botanical name: Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’
Mona Lavender Swedish Ivy has masses of beautiful spikes of lavender tubular flowers rising above the foliage from late spring to mid fall, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its serrated pointy leaves remain dark green in color throughout the season. The fruit is not ornamentally significant..
Other names: Candle Vine, Candlestick Vine
| Hardiness zone | 9b |
|---|---|
| Flower color | lavender |
| Foliage type | deciduous * |
| Plant form | over mound |
| Mature height | 12 inches (18 inches with the flowers) |
| Spread | 18 inches |
| Light requirements | partial shade to shade |
| Moisture requirements | dry to average |
| Plant origin | hybrid |
* deciduous = loses leaves in winter
Mona Lavender Swedish Ivy has masses of beautiful spikes of lavender tubular flowers rising above the foliage from late spring to mid fall, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its serrated pointy leaves remain dark green in color throughout the season. The fruit is not ornamentally significant.
Mona Lavender Swedish Ivy is a dense herbaceous perennial with tall flower stalks held atop a low mound of foliage. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.
This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. It is a good choice for attracting hummingbirds to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Mona Lavender Swedish Ivy is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Mass Planting, Border Edging, General Garden Use, Groundcover, Container Planting
Mona Lavender Swedish Ivy will grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity extending to 18 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 18 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 14 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years.
This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. 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.
Mona Lavender Swedish Ivy is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting 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 larger thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.
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