{"title":"Duranta","description":"\u003cp\u003eDuranta is a fast, forgiving evergreen shrub from tropical America that has become a staple of warm climate hedging in Australia. Gardeners use it two ways. The gold leaved forms are clipped into low, bright borders and formal hedges, while the flowering forms are grown more loosely for their hanging sprays of violet or white flowers, which butterflies visit. Choose by the job: foliage colour for a clipped hedge, or flowers for a screen or feature shrub.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to choose a duranta\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor a clipped hedge or border, the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/sheena-s-gold-duranta-duranta-erecta-sheena-s-gold\"\u003eSheenas Gold Duranta\u003c\/a\u003e is the well known choice, with lime gold foliage that holds its colour when trimmed, at anything from knee height to about a metre and a half. The \u003ca href=\"\/products\/squatters-gold-duranta-duranta-squatters-gold\"\u003eSquatters Gold Duranta\u003c\/a\u003e is another gold foliage selection grown for the same purpose. Both colour most strongly in full sun and turn greener in shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor flowers, the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/geisha-girl-duranta-duranta-repens-geisha-girl\"\u003eGeisha Girl Duranta\u003c\/a\u003e carries arching sprays of deep violet blue flowers with a white edge through the warm months, on a shrub that reaches two to three metres if left unpruned. The \u003ca href=\"\/products\/alba-duranta-duranta-repens-duranta-erecta-alba\"\u003eAlba Duranta\u003c\/a\u003e is the white flowered form. Flowering durantas can be grown as an informal screen, a large feature shrub or trained as a small standard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere duranta grows\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDuranta is most at home in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens, from north Queensland down the east coast to Sydney, and in Perth. It grows in mild parts of the south with shelter, but frost burns the foliage and hard frost can cut plants back, so it is not a hedge for cold inland districts. It takes full sun or part shade, most soils with reasonable drainage and coastal conditions with some protection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe berries of duranta are poisonous if eaten, so choose a low fruiting form or trim after flowering where children and pets play; in warm climates keep it out of bushland, as the species can spread by seed. Some forms also carry thorns on older stems. For other choices see our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hedging-screening\"\u003ehedging and screening plants\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/flowering-plants\"\u003eflowering plants\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting and spacing\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDig over the planting strip, mix in compost and plant at the same depth as the pot. For a low clipped hedge of a gold form, space plants 40 to 50 centimetres apart. For a taller hedge or screen of a flowering form, space them about a metre apart. Water in well and mulch. Tip prune from the start to make the plants branch low.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCare basics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWater regularly for the first few months. Once established, duranta is fairly drought hardy but grows and colours better with a deep watering in dry spells. Feed in spring and again in late summer with a general garden fertiliser.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eClipped gold hedges grow quickly in warm weather and need trimming every four to six weeks in the growing season to stay sharp. Trim flowering forms after each flush of bloom, which removes the developing berries and brings on more flowers. Old, leggy plants can be cut back hard in spring and will reshoot from bare wood. Our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/duranta-geisha-girl-care-guide\"\u003eGeisha Girl duranta care guide\u003c\/a\u003e has more on pruning and training.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow fast does duranta grow?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuickly in warm climates. A hedge of young plants usually knits together within a year or two, given water and regular tip pruning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs duranta poisonous?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe berries are poisonous if eaten by people or pets. Trim after flowering to remove them, or grow a clipped foliage form, which rarely flowers or fruits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy has my gold duranta turned green?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsually too much shade. The gold forms need full sun for strong colour. Regular clipping also helps, because the new growth is the brightest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes duranta tolerate frost?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnly lightly. Foliage burns in frost and plants can be cut back by a hard one, though established shrubs often reshoot in spring. In frosty areas plant it in a warm, sheltered position.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"sheena-s-gold-duranta-duranta-erecta-sheena-s-gold","title":"Sheena’s Gold Duranta - Duranta erecta 'Sheena’s Gold'","description":"\u003cp\u003eSheena's Gold Duranta (\u003cem\u003eDuranta erecta\u003c\/em\u003e 'Sheena's Gold') is the fastest way to put a block of bright golden foliage into a warm climate garden. It grows to about 1.8m tall and 1.5m wide, evergreen, and it takes clipping better than almost anything else in its size range, which is why it turns up as hedging, balls and low borders across the country's warmer half. Planted 60cm apart it closes into a dense gold hedge inside a year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGold foliage all year.\u003c\/strong\u003e The colour comes from the leaves, not from flowers, so the display never has an off season.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt shapes beautifully.\u003c\/strong\u003e Dense, small leaved growth that reshoots quickly, so balls, cubes, low hedges and standards all hold their form.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGenuinely fast.\u003c\/strong\u003e A 60cm spaced row can read as a solid hedge within twelve months in a warm garden.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeat, humidity and salt are fine.\u003c\/strong\u003e Drought tolerant once established, and comfortable in coastal and tropical conditions that flatten other hedging plants.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHedging and borders.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 60cm apart in a single row for a dense hedge. Held at 1m it makes a bright low border, or let it run to 1.8m for a boundary hedge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTopiary and shaping.\u003c\/strong\u003e Single plants clip into balls, cones and standards, and the fine growth keeps the surface tight rather than gappy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots and feature planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e A pot 400mm or wider holds one well, and a pair either side of an entry is a common and effective use of the gold colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Sheena's Gold Duranta in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun, without compromise: in shade the gold turns lime green and the growth goes loose. It is a tropical, subtropical and warm temperate plant, tolerant of light frost only, so cold inland and southern gardens will lose it in a hard winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Not fussy, provided it drains. Improve heavy clay with compost and plant on a slight mound. Mulch 75mm deep and keep it clear of the stems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water twice a week through the first summer, then it manages on moderate water. Feed a complete slow release fertiliser in early spring and again in mid summer to hold the colour bright.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Trim from the day you plant, lightly and often. Three or four cuts a year keeps a hedge crisp. It reshoots readily from old wood, so a neglected plant can be cut back hard in spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt comes in three sizes: single tubes, 140mm pots in packs of ten, and 200mm pots in packs of six. The 140mm packs are the practical hedge buy at 60cm spacing. Tubes are the value option over a long run, while 200mm plants give the quickest result.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are packed upright and travel well. Some leaf drop after transit is normal and new growth follows within a month in warm weather. Delivered Australia wide, delivery from $29.95, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/topiary-and-shaping-plants\"\u003ePlants that clip well for topiary and shapes\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/best-hedging-plants\"\u003eCompare the best hedging plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/how-to-create-a-great-hedge-and-keep-it-looking-sharp\"\u003eHow to create a hedge and keep it sharp\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/fast-growing-plants\"\u003eBrowse other fast growing plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe around children and pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe berries are toxic if eaten, so this is not the plant for a garden where small children or pets graze on what they find. Clipped hedges rarely fruit, because trimming removes the flowers before berries can set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow far apart should I plant it for a hedge?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSixty centimetres apart in a single row. That is close enough to close the gap quickly and far enough that each plant keeps foliage down to ground level.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it flower?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnclipped plants carry small pale blue flowers, mostly in the warm months. A regularly trimmed hedge flowers very little, and most people grow it for the gold foliage rather than the bloom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it survive frost?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLight frost only. In cold inland or southern gardens it will burn back or die, so a pot that can be moved under cover is safer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":51641339380031,"sku":"DUR-ERE-SHEGOL-tube","price":10.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":54140068856127,"sku":"DUR-ERE-SHEGOL-140MM-P10","price":200.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":54140068823359,"sku":"DUR-ERE-SHEGOL-200MM-P6","price":174.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"300mm","offer_id":55100454175039,"sku":"DUR-ERE-SHEGOL-300MM","price":115.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/Sheenas-Gold-Duranta-Duranta-erecta-Sheenas-Gold.png?v=1794662432"},{"product_id":"geisha-girl-duranta-duranta-repens-geisha-girl","title":"Geisha Girl Duranta - Duranta repens 'Geisha Girl'","description":"\u003cp\u003eGeisha Girl Duranta (\u003cem\u003eDuranta erecta\u003c\/em\u003e 'Geisha Girl', still widely sold as \u003cem\u003eDuranta repens\u003c\/em\u003e) is the quickest way to put a flowering hedge along a warm climate boundary. It reaches about 2.5m tall and 2m wide, carrying deep purple flowers edged in crisp white through the warm months rather than in one short burst. Planted 1m apart it closes into a colourful screen within two seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour for months, not weeks.\u003c\/strong\u003e Purple flowers with a fine white margin come in flushes from spring into autumn wherever the weather stays warm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt clips well.\u003c\/strong\u003e Shearing suits it better than most flowering shrubs, hence its use as a formal hedge or a shaped ball.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTough once settled.\u003c\/strong\u003e Heat, dry spells and coastal salt air are taken in its stride after the first year.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBusy with wildlife.\u003c\/strong\u003e Bees and butterflies work the flowers, and small birds take the berries.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHedging and privacy screening.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 1m apart in a single row for a hedge held anywhere between 1.5m and 2.5m. Stretch to 1.2m if you want full height and a looser look.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTopiary and shaped features.\u003c\/strong\u003e Single plants take to balls, cones and standards, so a matched pair at an entry works well. Allow three or four trims a season to keep the outline sharp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots and courtyards.\u003c\/strong\u003e A container 400mm or wider holds it near 1.5m, though potted plants need watering far more often.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Geisha Girl Duranta in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun for the heaviest flowering; part shade gives leaf and few blooms. This is a plant for tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens. It takes light frost once established, so the tablelands, cold inland districts and hard frosting southern gardens want a hardier hedge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Almost anything that drains. Work compost through the backfill on sand, mound the bed on heavy clay, and keep 75mm of mulch over the roots but clear of the stems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep soak twice a week through the first summer, then water only in dry spells. A complete slow release fertiliser in early spring and again in midsummer keeps growth and flowering moving together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Tip prune from planting to build density low down, then shear lightly after each flush. A hard cut back in late winter renews a leggy plant. In warm humid districts it can self seed, so trimming before the fruit ripens keeps stray seedlings out of the garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo sizes are grown: tube stock, and 200mm plants in packs of six. Tube stock is young and single stemmed, and it is the sensible choice for a long hedge because it establishes fast and costs a fraction of potted stock. The 200mm plants arrive branched and put you a season ahead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants travel upright and are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Expect two or three quiet weeks after planting, then quick growth in warm weather. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee. One honest note: the berries are toxic if eaten, so this is not the choice where children or pets pick fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/how-to-create-a-great-hedge-and-keep-it-looking-sharp\"\u003eHow to plant a hedge and keep it looking sharp\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hedging-screening\"\u003eCompare the full hedging and screening range\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/screening-plants-2m-to-4m\"\u003eScreening plants that finish between 2m and 4m\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/topiary-and-shaping-plants\"\u003ePlants that suit topiary and shaping\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow far apart should I plant it for a hedge?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne metre apart in a single row. At that spacing the canopies meet within two seasons, and each plant still has the root room it needs to flower properly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it handle frost?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLight frost yes, repeated hard frost no. In cold gardens the top growth is knocked back each winter, so grow it in a pot that can be moved under shelter instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAre the berries a risk around pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The berries are toxic if eaten, so we would not plant it where a dog or a young child grazes on fruit. Shearing after each flush removes most fruit before it ripens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":51641372180799,"sku":"DUR-REP-GEIGIR-tube","price":10.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10) (Backorder)","offer_id":55100454240575,"sku":"DUR-REP-GEIGIR-140MM-P10","price":206.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":54140068888895,"sku":"DUR-REP-GEIGIR-200MM-P6","price":383.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/Geisha-Girl-Duranta-Duranta-repens-Geisha-Girl.jpg?v=1766223441"},{"product_id":"alba-duranta-duranta-repens-duranta-erecta-alba","title":"Alba Duranta - Duranta repens \/ Duranta erecta 'Alba'","description":"\u003cp\u003eAlba duranta (\u003cem\u003eDuranta erecta\u003c\/em\u003e 'Alba') is the white flowered form of a shrub most Australians know in purple. It grows quickly to about 2.5m tall and 2m wide, carrying sprays of small fragrant white flowers through the warm months, and it clips as willingly as any hedging plant sold. If you want a fast, scented screen that also feeds birds and butterflies, this is a straightforward choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFast to close a gap.\u003c\/strong\u003e Growth is quick enough that a hedge planted from tubes reads as solid by the second season.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFragrant white sprays.\u003c\/strong\u003e The flowers come in flushes through the warm months with a light sweet scent, so plant it where you walk past.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt takes shears well.\u003c\/strong\u003e Clip it formally, shape it into balls or standards, or leave it loose. Every trim thickens the plant.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTough in real conditions.\u003c\/strong\u003e Heat, humidity, dry spells and coastal salt are all handled once the roots are down, and birds and butterflies work it constantly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHedging and screening.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 1m apart in a single row for a dense hedge. At 2.5m it screens a standard fence line comfortably, and it clips down to 1.5m if you want something lower.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTopiary and shaping.\u003c\/strong\u003e Fine branching and rapid regrowth suit clipped balls, cones and standards beside an entry or in a large pot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMass planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e Set 1m apart in a wide bed for a block of white flower, or grow a single plant as an informal feature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOne honest caution.\u003c\/strong\u003e The orange berries that follow the flowers are toxic to pets and children if eaten. Clipping after each flush removes most of them, which is worth doing in a garden used by small children.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing duranta in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun for the heaviest flowering and densest growth. It suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens and tolerates light frost only, so cold winter districts should expect frost damage each year, or grow it in a large pot in a sheltered position.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Not fussy, but it wants drainage. Work compost through heavy clay or plant on a low mound, then mulch 75mm deep and keep the mulch off the stem.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep soak twice a week through the first summer, then taper off, since it is drought tolerant once established. A complete slow release fertiliser in early spring and midsummer keeps a clipped hedge dense.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Trim after each flowering flush, two or three times over the warm season for a formal hedge. It shoots readily from old wood, so a neglected or frost damaged plant recovers fully from a hard cut back in late winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlba duranta is grown as tube stock, arriving young at roughly 15cm to 25cm tall and usually single stemmed. For a hedge run that is the sensible buy, since duranta grows fast enough that the head start from larger stock is quickly erased. Tip prune from the first month to build low branching rather than one leggy stem.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are packed upright and delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Expect new growth within three to four weeks in warm weather. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/how-to-create-a-great-hedge-and-keep-it-looking-sharp\"\u003eHow to plant and maintain a sharp looking hedge\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hedging-screening\"\u003eBrowse all hedging and screening plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/fragrant-plants\"\u003eMore fragrant plants for paths and entries\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/topiary-and-shaping-plants\"\u003ePlants that suit topiary and shaping\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow far apart should I plant a hedge?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne metre apart, centre to centre, which is ten plants for a ten metre run. Widen to 1.5m if you want a looser informal screen with gaps between plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAre the berries dangerous?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, the berries are toxic to pets and children if eaten. Trimming after each flowering flush removes most of them before they ripen, and a clipped hedge rarely carries many.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill frost kill it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt tolerates light frost only. A hard frost burns the top growth, but established plants usually reshoot from the base in spring. Cut the damage away in late winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":51641395085631,"sku":"DUR-REP-ALB-tube","price":10.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/Alba-Duranta-Duranta-repens-Duranta-erecta-Alba.png?v=1794662439"},{"product_id":"squatters-gold-duranta-duranta-squatters-gold","title":"Squatters Gold Duranta - Duranta 'Squatters Gold'","description":"\u003cp\u003eSquatters Gold Duranta (\u003cem\u003eDuranta\u003c\/em\u003e 'Squatters Gold') is a compact, golden foliaged shrub that grows 1m to 2m tall and wide and clips into a bright, dense medium hedge. It is a denser, tidier relative of Sheena's Gold that does better in humid gardens, and it handles dry spells once settled. Like Sheena's Gold it is grown for its foliage rather than its flowers, so use it where you want colour in a hedge that stays low and easy to keep.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGolden foliage.\u003c\/strong\u003e The golden leaves light up a boundary or a border, and contrast well with green and burgundy plants.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact and dense.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 1m to 2m it makes a medium hedge without the height of standard Sheena's Gold.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSuited to humidity.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is the better golden duranta for humid locations, where taller types are less comfortable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWaterwise.\u003c\/strong\u003e Once established it needs little water and tolerates dry periods.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEasy shaping.\u003c\/strong\u003e A trim about every three months keeps a tidy habit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMedium hedges.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 70cm apart in a single row in full sun. Trimmed regularly, the plants close into a continuous golden hedge of 1m to 1.5m.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLayered borders.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant it in front of taller screening such as murraya, or beside vibrant contrast foliage plants, for a layered effect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEntries and boundaries.\u003c\/strong\u003e Low enough to leave views and light open, it works well at gates, driveways and front fences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Squatters Gold Duranta in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun gives the densest, bushiest growth, and semi shade is tolerated with looser growth. It tolerates humidity and dry periods, so it suits tropical, subtropical, warm temperate and coastal Mediterranean gardens. It is frost tender: where winters regularly drop below zero, frost cuts it back, so choose a hardier hedge there. Durantas are regarded as environmental weeds in parts of Queensland, northern New South Wales and the Northern Territory, where birds spread the berries, so trim well if you back onto bushland.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Free draining soil suits it. A layer of mulch holds moisture and keeps weeds down.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and water regularly for the first 12 weeks, or until it establishes. Fertilise in autumn and spring with a slow release fertiliser for shrubs. Established plants need little water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Tip prune young plants by about a third at planting to build a hedge that is furnished to the ground, then trim about every three months to keep a tidy shape. Regular trimming also limits flowers and the berries that follow, which are poisonous if eaten.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Squatters Gold Duranta as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Tubes are the economical choice for a long hedge: plant, water in and tip prune lightly to build density. Expect new growth within weeks in warm weather.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hedging-screening\"\u003eBrowse all hedging and screening plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/best-hedging-plants\"\u003eOur best hedging plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/screening-plants-1m-to-2m\"\u003eScreening plants from 1m to 2m\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/duranta-geisha-girl-care-guide\"\u003eA duranta care guide for pruning and feeding\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow far apart should I plant it for a hedge?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant 70cm apart in a single row. The plants close into a continuous line as they fill out, without crowding the bases.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow often do I trim it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout every three months to keep the shape tidy and the growth dense. Light, regular clipping works better than one hard cut.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe for pets and children?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Duranta berries and leaves are poisonous if eaten, to people and pets alike. Regular trimming limits fruiting, but keep pets and small children away from any berries that form.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67787206230335,"sku":"DUR-HYB-SQUATT-tube","price":11.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/squatters-gold-duranta-duranta-squatters-gold.jpg?v=1792152175"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/collections\/Sheenas-Gold-Duranta-Duranta-erecta-Sheenas-Gold.jpg?v=1794666897","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/collections\/duranta.oembed","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}