This reportedly medicinal but rarely grown plant is an evergreen bush with small ovate to lanceolate leaves that can be used as a handsom...Read Moree ground cover on a steep or unstable slope or in the front of border in a shady area. The long blooming season of Cuphea aequipetala starts from early summer onwards and extends all the way to frost. Held on a red stalk, its purple flowers are small, but very profuse and rather popular with bumble bees. As with most Cupheas, each bloom has 6 petals, with the upper 2 being slightly bigger and touched by a hint of black. Even the floral tube is attractive -- maroon and green with little "hairs" sticking out. When all the petals have dropped, each tube looks like a strange spiky Iochroma, quite amusing. 2 feet tall and wide. Part shade. Rich, well-drained soil. Info courtesy of: http://eclecticplants.ecrater.com/p/11613008/cuphea-aequipet...
Can be invasive in desert areas; the CA Mojave Desert has a major problem with purple loosestrife clogging moist areas.
This reportedly medicinal but rarely grown plant is an evergreen bush with small ovate to lanceolate leaves that can be used as a handsom...Read More