About
An upright perennial to around 50cm high, with a woody base, gently creeping roots, and slender, angled stems bearing pairs of elliptic to lance-shaped green leaves with serrated edges. In late summer, tubular purple-blue flowers, curved over at the tips, are borne singly or in pairs on leafy stems.
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
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Gravel garden
Native toHimalaya China
Care notes
CultivationGrow in light, fertile, free-draining soil in full sun or part shade. May benefit from mulching in winter
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed, sown at 13-18°C in spring, or by basal or softwood cuttings in spring or early summer, with bottom heat
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to red spider mite
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free