Strobilanthus dyerianus, Persian Shield
This shimmering purple and silver foliaged shrub from tropical Burma is much hardier than you would expect. It grows to about 1.5 metres and likes a spot in the shade where its iridescent leaves can be shown off to best advantage. When combined with the blue flowering Ginger as above it makes a stunning display.As growth is fairly rapid it needs to be cut back regularly to stop it getting too "leggy" .In cooler climates it can be treated as an annual foliage plant or brought indoors or placed in a conservatory over winter.Flowers are insignificant and these can be cut off as they appear in much the same way you would do with Coleus.
2017 update: see my comment below
2017 update: see my comment below
Do you know of any nurseries in Adelaide that sell it or have seeds? Cheers Mish
ReplyDeleteUpdate 2017:It is a fairly short lived plant in cooler climates and I no longer grow it as it tends to die over winter in wet cold conditions
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