Mackaya bella, commonly known as Forest Bell Bush, is an evergreen shrub native to the understory of coastal and riverine forests in South Africa and Eswatini. It typically grows to 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) tall and broad, featuring glossy green leaves and trumpet-shaped pale lilac flowers veined in purple, which bloom in spring and summer. The flowers are particularly showy, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies. This shrub is not frost-hardy and cannot withstand temperatures below 10 °C (50 °F), necessitating winter protection in temperate zones. It can be placed outside in a sheltered spot during the summer months.

Mackaya bella is valued for its ornamental flowers and foliage, and it has earned the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. It is often used in shaded garden areas, as a border plant, or in containers for patios and conservatories. It thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers medium water, with well-drained, alkaline to neutral soil. While it is generally easy to maintain, it may require pruning to shape and encourage bushier growth. Gardeners should be aware that it is sensitive to cold and may need to be brought indoors or given frost protection in cooler climates.CC BY-SA 4.0