Purple flowers Polygala fruticosa

Credit: Klaus Wehrlin

Flowering shrub Polygala fruticosa

Credit: Di Turner

Purple flowers Polygala oppositifolia

Credit: Ernest McGray

Polygala fruticosa leaves

Credit: Nicola Van Berkel

Young Polygala fruticosa

Credit: Leandra K_89

Polygala fruticosa, the sweet pea

Better known as Polygala oppositifolia, Polygala fruticosa comes to us from South Africa and belongs to the Polygalaceae family. You can enjoy its colorful blooms almost all year round.

How to recognize Polygala oppositifolia (Polygala fruticosa)?

Polygala oppositifolia is a shrub with a compact, rounded habit. Smaller than polygala myrtifolia (Polygala myrtifolia), it doesn't exceed 1.50 m in height for the same spread.

The oval leaves are almost leathery. Dark green, the blades are crossed by a light-green midrib.

Polygala fruticosa flowers almost all year round, but is most abundant in spring and summer. Ten months of the year, the shrub is adorned with bouquets of magenta-red flowers. The flowers resemble sweet peas. They consist of two lateral sepals, a lower petal and a puff of white stamens.

Do you live with young children or pets and wonder whether Polygala oppositifolia is toxic? Not everyone agrees. For some specialists, the plant is not dangerous, but others consider that ingesting it can cause digestive problems and that it's best to keep it away from dogs and cats.

Our maintenance tips

Polygala fruticosa do not need pruning. You can, however, shorten branches and remove dead wood to work the shape of the plant. But be careful when you cut: woody stems do not regrow!

Watering

Check that the substrate is dry to the depth of five centimeters before watering. If your plant is thirsty, water with cold or lukewarm water. It's best to use rainwater to provide nutrients. If you don't have any, use mains water.

Empty any stagnant water from the dish to prevent root rot.

Spray

Your polygala fruticosa hates wet foliage. You must not mist the plant.

Repotting

Get a pot with holes larger than the root ball. You can add a layer of clay balls to the bottom to optimize drainage.

Ifyou don't have any, you can use potting soil. Plant your Polygala fruticosa in the center. Fill in with your substrate without burying the crown.

Water with room-temperature water to expel air bubbles and help the plant take root.

Fertilization

To promote the growth of your Polygala fruticosa, apply fertilizer in spring and summer.

Apply flowering plant fertilizer to stimulate flowering.

Place a little compost at the foot of your Polygala fruticosa to enrich the soil and accelerate growth.

Plantation

Soak your Polygala fruticosa. Meanwhile, dig a hole twice the size of the root ball. You can place gravel at the bottom to improve drainage.

Plant your Polygala fruticosa. The collar should reach ground level. Fill the hole with garden soil. But you can also add sand if your soil is heavy, or potting soil if it's poor.

Water generously to encourage rooting and remove air bubbles.

Cutting

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

Use a clean, sharp tool to remove a soft branch about ten centimeters long. Cut just below a node to encourage root growth.

Remove the lower leaves. You can also reduce the size of the limbs you keep by half.

Pour potting soil into a bucket. Plant your cutting in the center.

Cover with a transparent bag or place in a mini greenhouse. Propagation works best under cover. Set up in a bright room with a temperature of at least 20°.

Mist the substrate to keep it moist, and aerate for a few minutes a day.

Diseases / Threats

Aphids

Whiteflies

Information

Family	Polygalaceae - Polygalaceae
Type	Polygala - Polygala
Species	Polygala fruticosa - Polygala fruticosa
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposures	Sun Half-shade
Substrat	Humus soil
Planting methods	Open ground In tubs
Categories	Shrub Flowery
Tags	Beginner Flowery Toxic
Origin	South Africa
Hardiness (USDA)	9a
Leaf color
Flower colors