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Gunnera atropurpurea (Purple gunnera)

Other names: Colombian rhubarb

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Species
G. atropurpurea is a clump-forming, semi-evergreen perennial with hairy, red-flushed stems bearing large, rounded, glossy, lobed, wrinkled, hairy, dark green leaves, often red at the veins, and long spikes of tiny, red flowers in spring and late summer.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
1.5 m 1 m 5-10 years
4 ft 3 ft 5-10 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Clay
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Moisture-retentive
  • Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Neutral
  • Alkaline
Sunlight
  • Partial Shade
Aspect
  • East
  • West
  • South
Exposure
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Grow in cool, moist or moist but well-drained, preferably neutral soil, in partial shade. Grow in full sun in areas with cool summers. Do not allow to dry out. Protect the crown from frosts with a dry winter mulch. Suitable for growing in containers. Where native, grows at elevations from 1,100-3,400m (3,600-11,200').

Suggested uses

Ground Cover, Waterside, Banks and Slopes, Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal

UK hardiness

H4

USDA zones

Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10

Sunset zone

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Unknown
Central Valley = Unknown
South Coastal = Unknown
South Inland = Unknown
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Clump-forming

Native to

Colombia, Ecuador

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

Yes

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

Remove faded flowers spikes. Remove faded or dead leaves as needed.

Propagation methods

Seed, Division

Propagation

Sow seed in a cold frame in a frost-free site in autumn. Sow as soon as ripe as seed loses viability quickly. Germination is slow. Divide in spring.

Pests

Slugs

Snails

Aphids

Whitefly

Diseases

Generally disease-free.

Water regularly through dry periods

Divide and replant in spring

Sow seeds in a cold frame in autumn

Plant in moist but well-drained soil (autumn or spring)

Plant in fertile, moisture retentive soil

Remove faded flowers stems in autumn (optional)

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (0)

Gunnera

Companion plants (0)

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