<previous next>

Mahogany Needlebush

Shrub type: Coniferous (Grows along the ground or other low surfaces.)

This large shrub grows up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall and lives for around 17 years. It is very resistant to disease but is susceptible to destructive insect infestation.

It has several thick, angular stems covered in ridged, mahogany-coloured bark, and the wood inside is mahogany-coloured.

The branches are tall, rigid and upright with hundreds of twigs that and are covered with small bunches of small, needle-like, leaves with wavy edges. The leaves themselves are brown and caramel, flexible and fuzzy.

In late spring it produces a handful of medium-sized, gentle blue flowers with cylindrical petals. They detach easily and have an overpowering scent that smells like honeysuckle.

It usually houses a colony of beneficial insects.
It is suitable for creating tough, hard-wearing textiles
It is almost impossible to grow indoors.