BOTANICAL NAME: Mackaya bella
COMMON NAME: Forest Bell Bush
DESCRIPTION:
An evergreen, soft-wooded forest shrub which thrives in deep shade conditions. In spring to mid-summer, it produces abundant trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of lilac to pale purple, often streaked with darker veins. The blooms appear in loose sprays, creating a showy and delicate display. Mackaya bella is naturally found on forest margins and shaded slopes in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, making it a true indigenous beauty.
GARDEN USES:
Forest Bell Bush is ideal for semi-shaded or shady areas of the garden, adding light and colour where many plants struggle. It works beautifully as a background shrub, informal hedge, or underplanting beneath trees. Its showy flowers make it a striking feature in woodland or indigenous gardens, and it pairs well with shade-loving companions such as Plectranthus, Clivias and ferns.
CULTURAL INFORMATION:
Mackaya bella thrives in semi-shade to shade, in well-drained, fertile soil enriched with compost. Regular watering is needed, particularly in the drier months, although it can tolerate short dry spells once established. An application of balanced fertiliser in spring encourages lush growth and abundant flowering. Light pruning after flowering helps maintain shape and encourages bushiness. Protect from heavy frost in colder regions.
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