Water Wise Plants

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Polygala fruticosa 'Petite Butterfly'

Pronunciation

pol-ee-GAH-luh froo-tih-KOH-suh

Common Name

Petite Butterfly Sweet-Pea Shrub

Plant Type

Shrub

Mature Size

2 ft. to 3 ft. wide and tall

Water Requirements

Moderate: water weekly until the root ball is wet

Sun/Shade Requirements

Full to half sun

Wildlife

Flower Color

Purplish pink

Maintenance- Design- Planting Tips

It's always nice to find a neat, round evergreen shrub that blooms a lot and doesn't get too big. Polygala fruticosa plays nicely in the perennial garden. Its flowers look a bit like sweet peas hence the common name 'Sweet-Pea Shrub'.

Cut back Polygala to about 10 inches above the ground in late winter to maintain its compact shape.

Sunset’s Western Garden Book recommends providing regular water for Polygala. Several Master Gardeners have not found Polygala fruticosa to be long-lived in their home gardens.

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