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Rutaceae
Pink Breath of Heaven
Coleonema pulchellum
Ethereal grace and spiritual uplift.
- Family
- Rutaceae
- Genus
- Coleonema
- Native to
- South Africa
- Bloom season
- Winter, Spring
- Type
- evergreen shrub
- Height
- 60–150 cm
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- well-drained, sandy, acidic
- Water
- low to moderate
- Hardiness
- 9–11
- Lifespan
- perennial shrub; 15–20 years
Did you know
- The aromatic foliage releases a citrus-like scent when brushed, hence the poetic name 'breath of heaven'.
- It belongs to the citrus family Rutaceae and the leaves contain the same type of oil glands found in orange peels.
- In its native Western Cape fynbos, it is adapted to nutrient-poor soils and resents rich fertilizers.
- The tiny star-shaped flowers blanket the shrub so densely that the foliage nearly disappears underneath.
- Coleonema is fire-adapted and resprouts vigorously from the base after the periodic fynbos fires.
Color meanings
Pink
heavenly lightness
Mauve
transcendent calm