About
This evergreen, bushy perennial to 1.2m tall and spreading via prostrate, rooting stems to 1.5m wide with ovate, dark green, serrated leaves to 13cm long . Tubular flowers borne in small clusters in summer are shades of blue, pale purple and pink.
About the genus
Strobilanthes can be evergreen or herbaceous perennials or subshrubs with simple, opposite leaves and spikes, cone-like clusters or loose panicles of tubular or funnel-shaped flowers
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy, Spreading branched
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Native toW Himalaya, Bangladesh
Care notes
CultivationGrow under glass in peat-free, loam-based compost in full light with shade from hot sun. Grow outdoors in light free draining soil in full sun to partial shade in a frost-free area
PruningIf required can be cut back to limit height and spread
PropagationPropagate by seed or softwood cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free