Monday, February 1, 2010

Acalypha wilkesiana

A mid 20th Century garden in Queensland featuring Acalyphas
Acalypha wilkesiana 'Raggedy Ann'

Acalypha wilkesiana 'Camouflage'

These shrubs sometimes go by the name of 'match-me-if you-can' because no two leaves are alike. The variety Raggedy Anne has long tails on the end of the leaf and a slight curve where it joins the main stem which means the red underside of the leaf is more prominent.
The one called Camouflage has a central patch of khaki on the leaf which makes a great contrast to the brighter green and red splashes on the leaf.
2017 update: I have stock of the variety 'Raggedy Ann' and will have 'Inferno' later in the year.

2 comments:

  1. It's definitely shared by me, Ian .... I just love these plants. I have a few myself in my north Queensland garden and you just can't beat them for drought, heat, humidity and full sun tolerance ... nor can you beat them for fantastic colour in a tropical garden.

    One of my goals for this year in my garden is to add more of these beauties ... I'm looking for new varieties, but the nurseries up here don't stock them as they're not that popoular any more. I think they're regarded as old hat!

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  2. Acalyphas leave me cold since they are so common in Bangalore. But I liked your Raggedy Ann. I have not encountered her anywhere here.

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