Nothing gathers attention like deep blue - reddish blue flowers , and the Sapphire Showers favorable dewdrop ( Duranta erecta " Sapphire Showers " ) , also call pigeon berry or skyflower , delights with flush edge in white . This stale - pinnace tropic bush to modest tree relishes sunlight and hotness and is hardy in USDA zones 8 to 12 , where winters are very mild . The soil must be light and well - draining ; sandy soil rich with organic matter is stark . sparkle tip pruning of branches in spring allows for lush regrowth .
Step 1
Provide 1 inch of water to the golden dewdrop each week during the acquire season . An evenly moist soil in the heat of summer will advance lucullan foliage and abundant anthesis .
Step 2
stratum organic mulch or compost around the base of the shrub in a ring that extends 1 to 2 feet beyond the spreading range of the branches . The layer of constitutive matter should be 2 to 4 inches mystifying and 3 to 4 inches forth from the actual luggage compartment of the flora . The nutrient that leach from the constitutional matter into the dirt will gain the plant and help keep the soil moist .
Step 3
Consider add an all - purpose , slow - liberation fertilizer around the root zona of this plant life in spring and summer harmonise to product directions . This is specially crucial for plants growing in flaxen soils or regions that get plenteous quantity of rain in summertime . Plants produce in containers need this auxiliary fertilization for skilful execution , too .
Step 4
trim back branches by 50 pct each other spring if want , to keep the shrub looking tonic and healthy . Make the pruning cuts anywhere along the stem turn , as regrowth will occur in several placement of continue stems and can be slim out once they come along . In regions where a killing frost or mild freezes occur in wintertime , the plant will by nature die back to its base or stem , and will rejuvenate in outflow . In tropic regions the plant life will grow upwardly of 15 to 20 invertebrate foot without pruning or nipping frosts .
Tip
To increase flowering , at once cut away the drop bloom clusters to encourage new growth that will concede flower buds . If the attractive berry are desire , do not ignore off former flowers . Less than four hours of unmediated sun can markedly lessen the production of any flowers on golden dewdrop plants . The plant life will not survive the winters alfresco in USDA zone 1 through 7 , where it should be grown as a summer annual or houseplant .
Warning
The yellow fruits of Sapphire Showers must not be deplete .
