Common Name:
'Gold Edge' skyflower
Family Name:
Verbenaceae
Botanical Name:
Duranta erecta
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
'Gold Edge'
Characteristics:
This cultivar is derived from Duranta erecta, commonly known as golden dewdrop, pigeon berry or sky flower, which has a native range from Florida to Brazil and in the West Indies. The species has a spreading, sometimes weeping form, and grows as an evergreen shrub or small tree to 3-6 m (15-18 ft) tall and 2-4 m (6-12 ft) wide (1, 2). The species can grow taller than wide, as a small tree but can also grow very wide and spreading as a shrub (2). Sharp axillary thorns are usually present on stems of mature plants but are usually absent on young plants (1). The 'Gold Edge' cultivar is an upright selection of golden dewdrop with oval to rounded, 5 cm (2 in) long, light green leaves with serrated margins and broad, irregular chartreuse-yellow marginal variegation (1, 3). Flowers are light lavender-blue, tubular, borne in loosely clustered terminal racemes and last from spring through fall in mild climates (USDA 9+) (1, 2). The flowers are followed by orange, berry-like drupes (1, 2).
Compound:
Geographic Origin:
Ecozone Origin:
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
The genus name, Duranta, honors Castore Durante (c.1529-1590), who was a Papal physician and Roman botanist (1). The specific epithet, erecta, means upright or erect (1). While the specific origin of the ‘Gold Edge’ variegated cultivar is unknown, variegated forms of Duranta erecta have been reported since the beginning of the 20th century, including mentions of such plants by L.H. Bailey in the early 1900s (3). The straight species, Duranta erecta, (which was previously grown as D. repens) has a native ranging from Florida, into the Caribbean and south to Brazil (2).
Cultivation Notes:
The cultivar is winter hardy to USDA zones 9-11 and is reported to tolerate cold temperatures without stem damage to -4.0° C (25° F) (1, 2). Plants need moist, fertile, soils of a wide range of textures, so long as they are well-drained (1). Plants prefer full sun for best flower production but tolerate light shade, especially in hotter climates (1). Water use is moderate, and the plant does best with deep, infrequent watering in warmer climates (1, 2). The cultivar is amenable to frequent selective pruning to form espaliers, small trees or large bushes (2).
Ethnobotany:
This cultivar is used as a landscape ornamental tree or shrub. It is used in landscapes as a hedge, border plant, or as a small tree specimen. It is appreciated for its showy, colorful blue, orange and yellow features (flowers, fruits, and variegated leaves) (1). The blue flowers also attract butterflies. While the fruit and foliage are attractive, both contain saponins that are bitter and poisonous to humans (2).
Height:
16 - 20 feet
Width:
11 - 15 feet
Growth Rate:
Fast Growing
Grow Season:
Summer
Flower Season:
Summer
Color:
Blue
Function:
Screen
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Toxic
Hardy:
Semi-hardy
Water Use:
Moderate Water Use
Citations:
- Missouri Botanical Garden https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=259788&bt=12 Retrieved Oct. 27, 2025
- San Marcos Growers https://smgrowers.com/Products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?cat_id=9&plant_id=2993&page=13 Retrieved Oct. 27, 2025
- University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension https://www.uaex.uada.edu/yard-garden/resource-library/plant-week/duranta-erecta-golden-edge-06-16-2016.aspx#:~:text=The%20origins%20of%20this%20variegated,golden%20variegated%20form%20sometimes%20offered. Retrieved Oct. 27, 2025
