PlantFiles: Golden Dew Drop, Sky Flower, Pigeon Berry
Duranta erecta 'Sapphire Showers'

I need advice. I am in Indianapolis IN and received this plant as a gift. (Sapphire Showers Duranta - Tree) It has been beautiful all summer. How can I properly help this tropical plant through our winter in the north and still have a beautiful blooming healthy plant next season? Responses are appreciated. I am not a plant "techie". vbanderson@aol.com Thank you.

i love this bush and so do the hummers, hummingbird moths and bees ! it blooms like gangbusters , takes a break for a few weeks and does it all over again and again! it's truly a treasure in my garden. it has returned , even after the coldest winter in 15 years.

I live right on the Gulf of Mexico in Aripeka Fl. The golden dewdrop,Duranta reopens is very salt tolerant and an excellent wind breaker I've had it growing for 12 years or so and have planted 4 more on my yard plus planted it in 3 more yards all are doing excellent even after being covered with 3 foot of salt water To get it to bloom more I cut it back or trim it to take all berries off. It doesn't seem to matter what time of year as soon as I get old berries off it will bloom again also it seems to have the thorns sometimes and other times there is no thorns very odd about the thorns also it started putting runners off that are growing new plants it makes a excellent hedge with the runner behavior now I,m training it to go right up and down my bank (I live on canal with no seawall ) very low maintenance except to trim and you can take as long as you like with that but the more you play with it the better it looks Oh one more reason to love this plant the bluebirds love the berries I had never seen them in Aripeka before and they stop by every spring now during migration I guess.. I hope this helps I live on a limerock man made canal I have a small nursery and a Garden club Cathys Gardens

Had to bring plants back into the sunroom due to the cold spell we are just coming out of and missed the Sapphire Showers. Temperatures dropped into the 20's for the last 4 nights and today I found it apparently unscathed beside the hydrangea. Hope it doesn't object to being in the sunroom tonight.

A beautiful plant that flowers Spring to Fall in my area. I could do without the thorns though when trimming it!

I'm going to give this guy a neutral; it's LOVELY when blooming, and is hardy in my area (planted it last spring and it came back w/lush growth). However, I'm not thrilled with its stubborness to bloom again for me! I've fed it, watered it, etc., but no luck. So disappointing; considering digging it up.

This is one of my favorite plants. It produces lots of purple pendant flower clusters on the tips of new growth that contrast beautifully with it's yellow berries. Flowers have a light candy-like fragrance. It is a subtropical shrub that I have in a hanging basket. When planting in a container use a hanging basket, tall container or set container on a plant stand. Use a well-drained potting soil, and prune vigorous shoots to keep plant compact and free-flowering. Occasional fertilization will keep foliage green and keep flower production high. In subtropical climates it makes a good specimen in the landscape. Plant in open, well-drained soil in a sunny location and train by pruning. In cold climates it should be planted in a container.

I have had my "Golden Dewdrop" about 10 years. I started it from a cutting. It's a large bush with spreading branches that can easily be controlled via trimming. It's a fast grower but requires a lot of space to mature and bloom. Mine are in mostly shade and do very well there. In zone 10 they bloom from April through November. There are no problems with suckers. I have a "White Sky" Alba variety growing next to it. These bushes are great to use to cover up a sore spot on your property, as long as you have room. Along with small attractive flowers both bushes produce smallish beigh/gold berries which birds seem to enjoy. Both colors are great butterfly attractors.
Art