Plant Library

Other Names:  Malaysian Orchid, Rose Grape

Description:

A stunning tropical plant that is great for shady areas or containers; a fine houseplant for colder climates; rose pink flower clusters hang gracefully below the contrasting deep green glossy leaves for a truly unique look; likes loose, rich soil

Ornamental Features

Dolce Vita Medinilla features showy clusters of rose orchid-like flowers hanging below the branches from mid spring to mid summer, which emerge from distinctive coral-pink flower buds. The flowers are excellent for cutting. It has attractive dark green foliage with light green undersides. The glossy pointy leaves are highly ornamental and remain dark green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Dolce Vita Medinilla is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other landscape plants with finer foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub. Trim off the flower heads after they fade and die to encourage more blooms late into the season. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Dolce Vita Medinilla is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Dolce Vita Medinilla will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years.

This shrub does best in partial shade to full shade. Keep it well away from hot, dry locations that receive direct afternoon sun or which get reflected sunlight, such as against the south side of a white wall. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by cuttings; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Dolce Vita Medinilla makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.