Bernieh's Garden
Mussaenda philippica 'Aurorae' - White Mussaenda
Species: Mussaenda Philippica 'Aurorae'.
Common name: White Mussaenda
Botanic name: Mussaenda Philippica 'Aurorae'
Family: Rubiaceae
Mussaenda is a tropical shrub or sub-shrub reaching 10 feet tall, though can be trained as a single specimen of 5 feet on ground or less than 3 feet in containers. It originated from the Philippines.
Each flower is composed of an inconspicuous small tubular five-petalled corolla in orangy-yellow and five greatly enlarged sepals (bracts). It is really these showy corymbs of white or off-white enlarged leaf-like sepals that contrast beautifully against their dark green elliptic to ovate leaves that are the attention grabber.
Prefers full sun, but can tolerate semi-shade. Needs regular water but do not over-water. Grows best in well-drained loamy soil.
t is best to prune the Mussaenda philippica after blooming to get a bushy plant, though the lower stems tend to become bare however much you prune. Sepals or bracts colour best with full sun and need it to flower continuously, though they’d prefer filtered mid-day sun in hot climates. No known serious insect or disease problems but do watch for spider mites and whiteflies on indoor plants.
Can be propagated from softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings and very rarely from seeds.
