Tree Violet
Hymenanthera dentata

Family: Violaceae

What it is like

Hymenanthera dentata is an evergreen Shrub growing to 6 m (19ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower in April. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 6

Where it is found

River banks and on basalt and silurian soils to high elevations.

Australia - New South Wales, Victoria.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 2

A light-fast purple dye is obtained from the berries. The plant makes a good screen or hedge. It is unlikely to be of any use for this purpose in Britain due to its tenderness. Wood - hard, bright yellow. Used for turnery.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Hedge: Hedge

How it is grown

Succeeds in a sunny position in most soils. Prefers a moderately fertile well-drained but moisture-retentive soil in a sunny sheltered position. Plants are frost-tender and so cannot be grown outdoors in Britain. They tolerate temperatures down to at least -7°c in Australian gardens though this cannot be translated directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers and longer, colder and wetter winters. An alpine form of this species does exist and this should be hardier than the type. The very closely related H. angustifolia. DC., which is considered by some botanists to be no more than a variety of this species, is quite hardy at Kew and is said to tolerate temperatures down to about -10°c. Even if the two plants are separate species, then H. angustifolia is likely to have the same uses as this plant.

Propagating it: Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in late winter or early spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 4 - 5cm with a heel, July/August in a headily shaded frame. Pot up in spring. Good percentage. Cuttings of mature side-shoots, 4 - 5cm with a heel, October/November in a cold frame. Lift in the following April. High percentage.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Hedge;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 8-11

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

H. banksii. F.Muell.