Plectranthus argentatus 'Silver Shield'

Plectranthus argentatus 'Silver Shield'

'Silver Shield' was introduced to the garden scene many years ago by the good folk at Ball Horticulture as part of their Nature's Decor range of plants. It is the compact growing form of the Queensland native Plectranthus argentatus which is a sprawling rainforest understory shrub. Like the original species it prefers a fairly warm spot in the garden though it will tolerate light frost. Frost damage of blackened leaves is only a temporary problem of this otherwise hardy sun or shade loving shrub. Usually it grows to around 60 cm in height and it will need an annual prune to keep it in shape. Green looper caterpillars are fond of the leaves and as they hide on the lower leaf surface, the damage is often done before you find the culprit. Snails also can disfigure the leaves.

Flowers which are pale lavender in colour are fairly insignificant and are not really noteworthy as this silver foliage plant stands alone by adding an exciting colour element to any garden or container grown collection of plants.

Plectranthus x hybrida

 Plectranthus x hybrida

This hybrid which was developed in South Africa at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden in Cape Town in the early 2000's and has been distributed worldwide under various names including 'Mona Lavender' and 'Cape Angels'. The most popular variety is this one which has lavender coloured flowers and dark inky stems and under leaves. I grow this and the pink and white flowering forms.

 'Purple Angel' forms a neat shrub to about a metre tall in sun or shade and looks particularly fine when contrasted, as pictured here, with a lighter coloured foliage plant. In this case it is grown under a variegated lemon tree. Hardy, easily grown and good in pots, flowering is mainly in autumn but the flowering season can be extended by shearing off the top to bring on a new flush of flowers. Now for some bad news..... Flea beetles find the leaves very attractive and  they are difficult to spot on the dark leaves, or maybe they just live up to their namesake by jumping out of the way when you approach. Damage does not show up immediately until close observation reveals a network of tiny brown holes and disfigurement.

 A systemic insecticide is needed to kill them effectively as they return for a second go even if you cut the plants back and give them a feed to produce a flush of new growth. Flowers are not affected so perhaps in a garden situation spraying may not be necessary but when growing a batch for the marketplace it is a real curse to find the "crop" spoiled in this way.

Plectranthus barbatus var. grandis

Plectranthus barbatus var. grandis

This is the largest growing Plectranthus species reaching some 3 metres and has the typical furry, velvety leaves of the genus and familiar autumn flowers. The flowers of this one are a clear Wedgwood blue and stand proud of the foliage making quite an impact in the garden. It is a shrub which is fairly versatile as it will grow in sun or shade, will tolerate light frost and is not fussy as to watering or soil condition. It fits the bill for that garden position of dry shade under trees which is always a difficult spot to fill.

That said, Plectranthus need a bit of work to keep them looking good for a long time and it can be said that they have a shelf life of about five years before needing to be replaced. They become woody or straggly after that time. Cuttings strike readily however and large pieces of stem can simply be placed in the ground where you want this shrub to grow.

Acalypha hispida 'Rabo de Gato'

Acalypha hispida (Euphorbia Family)

These days members of the Euphorbia family (Euphorbiaceae) get bad press, especially on the Internet, and are associated with various warnings about poisonings or allergic reactions when gardening with them or when handling the plants. No such warnings for this one however as this plant is worth growing for the unusual tassel like flowers which extend to some 30 cm within the plants foliage. It is a bit of a tropical beauty, originating in Oceania but widely grown as an indoor plant in cooler regions.

As a shrub it can grow up to 2 metres or more but obviously will stay smaller in a pot. For many years I have grown and sold the small version Acalypha reptans which is more of a ground cover plant or hanging basket specimen. It is quite hardy for me and flowers for most of the year so I am hoping the same goes for this species. Only time, and the kind of winter we get, will tell. Watch this space for when plants become available. Propagation is usually by cuttings in the warmer months.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Holly's Pride'

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Holly's Pride'

An Australian cultivar hybridized by Stanley Hollingsworth from 'Surfrider' x 'Sabrina'. This is an unusual flower form because it opens flat with the petals arranged in layers like in a cake. The flower colour is a distinctive shade of orange with some pink or red in it.

It grows as a tall erect shrub and it is generally regarded as a hardy variety.
i have limited stock available.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Hawaiin Sunset'

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Hawaiin Sunset'

Terrific colour this one, with intense hot pink centre fading to cream around the frilly edges.

It grows as a good bushy shrub of average height and was hybridised by Tony Kuhn. It is a well known variety across the world.

2017 update: I am currently out of stock.

Penstemon barbatus

Penstemon barbatus syn Chelone barbata

Another peerless Penstemon , this one grows more as a wide spreading ground cover and can eventually reach over an area of several square metres. The tall stems of tubular bell shaped scarlet flowers occur both in spring and in autumn in large numbers though they have the unfortunate habit of flopping sideways particularly if there has been strong winds blowing. Even my container grown plants are lop sided and as I brush past them out comes a large contingent of bees which have been foraging amongst the flowers.

When not in flower the foliage makes an attractive mat of shiny grey green leaves as it spreads out from the central plant. As with any perennial ground cover, from time to time you have to get into the centre of the growth to remove a plant which has become un-thrifty or replace a patch which has stopped flowering. However this is a very hardy plant requiring no additional irrigation once established and is tolerant of both cold and heat making it suitable to grow over a range of climates.

It is native to the western regions of the United States. There is apparently a pale pink form of this Penstemon species but I have yet to come across it.