The Mackaya bella, also known as the forest bell bush, typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.
forest bell bush
Mackaya bella
The Forest Bell Bush (Mackaya bella) is a striking South African shrub with stunning bell-shaped flowers. It has glossy evergreen leaves and can grow up to six feet tall. The flowers, which bloom from winter to spring, are white or a delicate pink, and feature an enchanting sweet scent. The bush attracts both birds and bees, adding a lively natural element to any garden. Gardeners will enjoy its drought tolerance and preference for warm climates. The bush is an excellent choice for containers or in garden beds as an accent shrub. Its graceful arching branches make it a beautiful complement to any garden design.
Cycle:
Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Cutting,Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation,Division,Seed Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
10 - 11
Flowers:
Pale lavender Flowers
Sun:
Full sun,part shade
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green,yellow
Growth Rate:
High
Maintenance:
High
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Invasive:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Mackaya bella should be watered regularly and deeply. Water once a week, making sure to wet the soil completely. Depending on the weather and your local climate, you may need to adjust the watering frequency. The amount of water needed should be enough so that it reaches the roots of the plant. Provide extra water during the hotter summer months. Avoid over-watering, as it can cause root rot. Make sure the soil is well-drained, and always avoid standing water around the base of the plant.
sunlight
The forest bell bush (Mackaya bella) thrives best in full sun for at least 6 to 8 hours daily. They enjoy high light intensity and do best when planted in an area of your yard that gets daylong sun. Some light shade is fine during the midday heat of summer, but the more sun all day long will result in more prolific blooms and larger plants. Good air movement is also a must for this species to perform to its highest potential.
pruning
The forest bell bush should be pruned in late winter or early spring, 1 to 2 weeks before the buds begin to swell. Pruning should involve removing any dead, dying, or diseased branches, as well as any weak or rubbing branches. Be sure to also remove any branches that are overly dense, are crossing, or are growing in strange directions in order to open up the shrub and create an aesthetically pleasing form. If the shrub has grown too tall or too wide, it is also acceptable to lightly prune the entire plant to encourage a denser form while it produces new growth.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering
Starts Flowering
The Mackaya bella, also known as the forest bell bush, typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.
