Grow Duranta in full sun and moist soil that drains. Water a new shrub regularly, then let some dry spells in once the roots are set. Shops also say golden dewdrop.
Give it full sun and moist soil that drains
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Full sun, about 6 hours, for a dense shrub and more flowers | Do not site it in deep shade that stretches the stems and cuts bloom |
| Soil | Moist soil that still drains — loam, sand, or a bed that does not puddle | Do not plant it in a hole that stays soggy after rain |
| Water | Water a new shrub through the first heat, then keep the soil from going bone-dry for weeks | Do not keep the roots wet on a weekly calendar after the shrub is set |
| Salt | Inland or a sheltered yard, away from salt spray | Do not use it as a first-line beach hedge |
| Kind | A low gold mound for foliage; a flowering kind for purple racemes and golden berries | Do not buy it as fiddlewood, or as a climbing skyflower vine |
golden dewdrop wants full sun and a hole that drains but does not stay dry as dust. Water a new plant through the first heat so the roots take, then ease off a little. Soggy soil around the roots is the primary cause of root rot. [1] Part shade is tolerated, but the stems stretch and the flowers thin. Flowers are heavier in sun. [2] Left uncut, the shrub can reach about 10 to 18 feet as a screen. [3] Gold-leaf kinds stay much shorter, often about 4 feet, and they still want the same sun and moist drain. [4]
- Choose full sun, about 6 hours. Light afternoon shade is tolerated, but bloom thins.
- Set it in loam or sand that stays moist and still drains. Skip a low spot that puddles after rain, and skip a first-line beach hedge.
- Water a new shrub through the first heat. After the roots are in, let the top of the soil dry a little between waterings, then soak again.
Set a shrub in the ground in spring on Planting Duranta. Cut for size on Pruning Duranta. Start another plant from a green stem on How to Propagate Duranta. Keep a patio plant in a pot that drains on Duranta in Pots.
Does Duranta need full sun?
Yes. Give it about 6 hours. Light afternoon shade is tolerated, but the stems stretch and the flowers thin.
How often should I water Duranta?
Water a new shrub through the first heat, then let the top of the soil dry a little between waterings. A soggy hole still rots the roots.
Not fiddlewood — and not a skyflower vine
A shop tag that says pigeon berry or skyflower is often this shrub with purple racemes and hanging golden berries. Fiddlewood is Citharexylum, a Florida native screen with white flowers — see How to Grow Florida Fiddlewood. Skyflower on a vine tag is often Thunbergia, a climber — see How to Grow Black-Eyed Susan Vine. Night Sky is a petunia, not this shrub — see How to Grow Petunias.
Is this fiddlewood?
No. Fiddlewood is Citharexylum, with white flowers. Duranta is the shrub with purple racemes and golden berries.
Give Duranta full sun and moist soil that drains, water a new shrub through the first heat, then let the top of the soil dry a little between waterings.
FAQ
Are the berries poisonous?
Yes. Leaves and berries can make people and pets very sick if they are eaten. Birds eat the fruit without that harm. Keep the shrub away from play areas, and do not snack on the berries.
Is pigeon berry a different plant?
Pigeon berry is a shop name for this shrub. Rouge plant is a different, smaller shade plant. Read the Latin on the tag: Duranta erecta.
Do you list Gold Mound as a separate plant?
Gold Mound is a short gold-leaf kind of this same shrub. We list one Duranta. Read the tag for height, then give it the same sun and moist drain.
Will it come back after a freeze?
Cold can mark the leaves, and a hard freeze can kill the top. In a warm garden the roots often send up new stems in spring. In a colder garden, grow it as a one-season plant, or keep it in a pot you can move.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] NC State Extension Gardener -
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/duranta-erecta/ - [2] Texas Superstar -
https://texassuperstar.com/duranta-brazilian-sky-flower/ - [3] University of Florida IFAS -
https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FR327 - [4] University of Florida IFAS -
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/shrubs/golden-dewdrop/
This note is part of Duranta Guides.
More first-season notes by plant are gathered in How to Grow Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors