- Botanical name: Amicia zygomeris
- Common name: Yoke-leaved amicia
- Family: Fabaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial
Yellow
Green
Purple
- Key features:
- Dramatic foliage
- Flowers
Not grown as much as it should be, Amicia zygomeris is an attractive woody-based perennial native to Mexico. Despite these exotic origins, it’s hardy in the UK down to -10ºC, and should reshoot from the base if the foliage is knocked back by a hard frost.
Its heart-shaped leaflets and purple bracts are a standout feature, but in autumn, sometimes earlier, yellow pea-like flowers are produced lending extra interest. It’s a great addition to exotic or mixed borders.
For best results, grow Amicia zygomeris in full sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. Somewhere sheltered is ideal. Softwood cuttings can be taken from early to midsummer, or semi-ripe cuttings taken in autumn. If you’re not sure that it will make it through winters, grow it in a large container instead, so it can be moved and overwintered in a frost-free location.
How to grow Amicia zygomeris
-
Plant size
2.5m height
1.5m spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Middle
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, full sun, partial shade
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Acidic / chalky / alkaline / clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does flower in September |
O
Plant does flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Take cuttings | ||||||||||||
| Take cuttings |
J
Do not Take cuttings in January |
F
Do not Take cuttings in February |
M
Do not Take cuttings in March |
A
Do not Take cuttings in April |
M
Do not Take cuttings in May |
J
Do Take cuttings in June |
J
Do Take cuttings in July |
A
Do not Take cuttings in August |
S
Do not Take cuttings in September |
O
Do Take cuttings in October |
N
Do not Take cuttings in November |
D
Do not Take cuttings in December |
Amicia zygomeris and wildlife
Amicia zygomeris has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Amicia zygomeris poisonous?
Amicia zygomeris has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
