Forest bell bush (Mackaya bella)
Discover the delicate beauty of Mackaya bella, the forest bell bush. This evergreen shrub features lilac bell flowers and glossy leaves in Zones 10-11.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Mackaya bella, commonly known as the forest bell bush, is an attractive broadleaf evergreen shrub native to the mixed forests of temperate southern Africa. Its primary appeal lies in its arching sprays of delicate, bell-shaped flowers, typically pale lilac to white, which offer color from late spring into autumn. Gardeners prize this plant for its glossy, prominently veined evergreen foliage that provides year-round structure.
While visually stunning, growing the forest bell bush requires specific attention to climate, as it is intolerant of frost. It performs best when mimicking its native habitat, thriving in moist, well-drained conditions. Mackaya bella offers a unique texture and floral display ideal for specialized landscape niches where winter temperatures remain reliably mild.
This species requires committed care, earning it a “High” maintenance rating, but the reward is a specimen plant or a refined informal hedge featuring uniquely beautiful blooms. Proper siting, especially avoiding harsh direct afternoon sun on the leaves, is key to its continued ornamental success.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Acanthaceae
- Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
- Native Range: Temperate southern Africa
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-11
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 3-6 ft
- Spread: 3-6 ft
- Bloom Time: May to September
- Bloom Description: Pale lavender
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: High
How to Grow
Planting the Mackaya bella is best achieved during warmer periods when the risk of cold shock is minimal, ideally in protected locations. The ideal substrate is moist, well-composted, moderately fertile, and exceptionally well-drained. While it tolerates full sun, it performs best in dappled part shade, as intense sun can cause the attractive leaves to fade or yellow.
Ongoing care involves consistent moisture, aligning with its “Medium” water need, ensuring the soil never dries out completely, especially during blooming season. Fertilization should support moderate growth in fertile soil; avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to soft, weak growth. Pruning is generally needed to maintain shape, especially when used as an informal hedge.
Seasonal management centers around temperature protection. As Mackaya bella is intolerant of frost, gardeners in marginal zones should ensure winter minimums stay above 45-50 degrees F. This plant is often noted as being difficult to cultivate successfully in standard greenhouse environments, underscoring its need for specific, mild climatic conditions.
Landscape Uses
The structure and appearance of the forest bell bush make it highly versatile in suitable climates. It excels when utilized as a specimen plant, drawing the eye with its unique flowers and glossy foliage. More functionally, it can be employed to create an elegant, informal hedge, providing soft screening between areas of the garden.
Where winter hardy, consider planting in shrub borders to introduce mid-level structure that contrasts well with finer-textured or darker-leaved evergreens. Its arching flower racemes lend themselves well to locations where they can cascade slightly, such as near retaining walls or along pathways. Companion plantings should share similar needs for moisture and well-drained soil, perhaps including other shade-tolerant, broadleaf shrubs that don’t aggressively compete for nutrients.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
The main ornamental appeal of Mackaya bella lies in its opposite, glossy evergreen leaves, which are elliptic, slender-pointed, and feature wavy edges and prominent veins. These are complemented by arching terminal racemes bearing tubular, five-lobed flowers, often pale lilac to white, deeply veined with dark purple. The genus name pays tribute to James Townsend Mackay, founder of the Trinity College Botanic Garden in Dublin.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
The forest bell bush is generally noted for having no serious insect or disease problems, which is a significant benefit for gardeners seeking lower intervention. Maintaining proper cultural conditions—especially excellent drainage and protection from frost—is the best preventative measure against stress-related issues. Avoid planting in areas where standing water accumulates, as root issues will quickly follow, though this is more cultural than disease-related.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Forest bell bush suitable for?
The Mackaya bella is generally hardy in USDA Zones 10 through 11, requiring winter minimum temperatures that stay above 45 to 50 degrees F.
How large does Forest bell bush grow?
This shrub typically matures to a height between 3 and 6 feet, with a similar spread ranging from 3 to 6 feet, making it suitable for mid-sized shrub borders.
When does Forest bell bush bloom?
This plant offers an extended blooming period, with flowers emerging from May through September, displaying pale lavender coloration.
What sun exposure does Forest bell bush need?
The ideal siting for forest bell bush is in full sun to part shade, though dappled shade is often preferred to prevent leaf fading or yellowing that can occur in intense, full sun exposure.
Conclusion
The Mackaya bella, or forest bell bush, offers exceptional value to mild-climate gardens through its year-round handsome foliage and delicate, long-lasting lavender blooms. Its unique appearance makes it a worthy investment, provided a gardener can meet its high maintenance requirements, particularly regarding consistent moisture and frost avoidance. Before planting, confirm your location falls within USDA Zones 10 or 11 to ensure the best performance of this beautiful African native.
Companion Planting
When integrating Mackaya bella into a border, consider plants that appreciate similar dappled light and consistent moisture. Good companions include various ferns that thrive in the understory of its native mixed forest environment, providing fine texture contrast to the shrub’s broader, glossy leaves. Shade-tolerant tropicals or subtropical bloomers that share frost intolerance, such as certain varieties of ginger or calathea, can enhance the lush, woodland aesthetic that the forest bell bush naturally suggests.
Design Ideas
For homeowners seeking an organic screen, use groupings of Mackaya bella for soft, informal hedging rather than rigid formal lines. In contemporary designs, the shrub can provide structure near water features or on slow slopes where drainage is naturally optimized. Its pale lavender flowers pair beautifully with deep purple or solid white flowering accents, creating a calm, sophisticated color palette appropriate for tranquil garden corners where its light-catching leaves can be fully appreciated.
