COLEONEMA. Breath of heaven. South Africa. Bushy, finely textured shrubs of the citrus family. They have slender stems and tiny narrow leaves which give off a spicy, sweet scent when crushed. Small star shaped flowers dot the plants in winter and spring. One most often sees them as foundation plants, though they have other uses, including informal hedges and specimen shrubs. They thrive in sun or light shade, in well drained soil, with moderate watering. Hardy to around 18oF or less when established.
album. White breath of heaven. A spreading shrub, usually 3-5’ tall but 6’ or more wide without pruning, but easily sheared. The tiny flowers are pure white. This is the more cold-tender of the two species.
pulchrum. Pink breath of heaven. More upright in growth than the last, forming a bright green, wispy sphere. It has bright pink flowers in its better forms. The selection ‘Sunset Gold’ is distinguished by bright yellow new growth, usually hiding the bright green older leaves and stems, and a more spreading habit. ‘Danny’s Gold Sport’, selected at the nursery by Danny Marques, is similar in color but more vigorous and upright.