{"product_id":"purple-gem-barleria-barleria-obtusa-purple-gem","title":"Purple Gem Barleria - Barleria obtusa 'Purple Gem'","description":"\u003cp\u003ePurple Gem Barleria (\u003cem\u003eBarleria obtusa\u003c\/em\u003e 'Purple Gem'), often called bush violet, is a compact foliage shrub about 1m high and 50cm wide. Its green, white and purple leaves carry colour all year, and small purple flowers join them in the warmer months. Neat enough for a low hedge, it also brightens a dark corner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColourful foliage.\u003c\/strong\u003e Green, white and purple leaves give year round interest without waiting for flowers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSmall purple flowers.\u003c\/strong\u003e They appear in the warmer months and echo the purple tones in the leaves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact and upright.\u003c\/strong\u003e At about 1m by 50cm it suits narrow beds and tight spaces.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifts a dark corner.\u003c\/strong\u003e The pale variegation catches the eye where plain green would disappear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNeat enough for a hedge.\u003c\/strong\u003e Light clipping keeps it a tidy, low edge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow informal hedging.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 40cm apart in a single row for a variegated hedge about 1m high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAccent planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e Use it as a bright accent in tropical style beds, or to light up a shaded corner near a path or entry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCottage gardens, borders and pots.\u003c\/strong\u003e The foliage works as a backdrop to seasonal flowers, and it holds its colour in a tub.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Purple Gem Barleria in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun or part shade in frost free locations, so tropical, subtropical and sheltered warm temperate gardens. Frost damages it, so pot it and move it under cover in cold regions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Most garden soils suit it. Good drainage and a layer of mulch keep the roots comfortable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water regularly for the first 8 to 12 weeks until established. After that, water in dry spells to keep the leaves fresh.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e It responds well to light pruning, which shapes it and improves bushiness. Clip a hedge lightly two or three times a year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Purple Gem Barleria as tube stock and as 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tubes are young plants in an 80mm deep tube that establish quickly and keep the cost of a hedge line down, while the 140mm pots in packs of 10 start with more growth. Plant promptly after delivery and keep the water up for the first two to three months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTube stock is raised by our grower and is not always available. When it shows as sold out, the notify button on this page sends you an email the day plants are back.\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\/variegated\"\u003eMore variegated plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hedging-screening\"\u003eHedging and screening plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/tropical-plants\"\u003eTropical plants for lush gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/low-hedge-plants-under-1-metre-australia\"\u003eA guide to low hedge plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is bush violet?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is the common name for Barleria obtusa. This cultivar, Purple Gem, is grown mainly for its green, white and purple leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it grow in shade?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt copes with part shade and can brighten a dark corner. Full sun to part shade suits it best.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it frost hardy?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Keep it in a frost free garden, or in a pot that can be moved under cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790213546303,"sku":"BAR-OBT-PURPLE-tube","price":11.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":67790213611839,"sku":"BAR-OBT-PURPLE-140MM-P10","price":172.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/purple-gem-barleria-barleria-obtusa-purple-gem.jpg?v=1792196438","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/purple-gem-barleria-barleria-obtusa-purple-gem","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}