Propagation
Sow fresh seed during spring in pots and place in a cold frame to germinate, which may take up to two years.

Take soft tip cuttings of non-flowering shoots during late spring to early summer and place on a misting bench. Air layering is carried out during the growing period.


Botanic information
Leaf: The variable glossy dark green leaves are ovate to obovate with a coarsely serrated margin. The apex is acute and the petiole is to 25mm (1in) long and the underside is covered in stellate pubescent. The young leaves are reddish and during autumn the leaves turn a vibrant yellow to red before falling.

Flower: The small apetalous flowers have prominent stamens and are arranged in dense terminal conical-shaped spike that is up to 50mm (2in) long, appearing during spring. There may be a second flowering period during autumn.
The grey-brown ovoid buds are pubescent up to 6mm (Ľin).

Fruit: The fruit is a small beaked dehiscent capsule that contains 2-black seeds that are viable but slow to germinate. It is normally reproduced vegetatively.