Justicia Species, Squirrel's Tail, White Shrimp Plant

I love this plant! The white flowers with green veining are terrific and are useful in flower arrangements as well as being a pollinator...Read More attractant. I had it long ago and lost it but finally found it again. It is growing in Tallahassee, Florida. We had several hard freezes this year (20 degrees ). I am hoping it will come back but I took cuttings just in case. I don't want to lose it again.

I'm growing it in part shade in subtropical Queensland. It's a leggy, not-particularly-attractive plant, with insignificant flowers. It h...Read Moreas also self-seeded all over the yard (and possibly the neighbourhood).

It's saving grace is that it is tough and provides important shade in our chicken run. As soon as I can establish another shade plant for the chickens, this plant will go.

I bought this plant last spring at the annual plant at Leu Gardens in Winter Park. It didn't cost much and I never expected much from it....Read More However, It doubled size in the small five inch pot in just one month, so I planted in the ground right under a tree where it would be protected by the hot sun rays and frosty nights. It bloomed all summer until late fall last year. I did protect it with blankets when we dipped many nights to freezing. It didn't freeze back, just some leaf burn. Now it is busting out flowers again, and turning into a nice little bush. So it seems to love the shady spot it is in with early morning and very late afternoon sun, and does get twice a week irrigation. The flowers are so pretty with subtle hints of lilac coloring, and they last quite awhile.

I like this plant. I grow several different varieties of "Shrimp Plants" and it's one of my favorites. I have a neighbor that grows it in...Read More full blazing sun. It tends to fade the flowers out a bit. I've got mine where it will get just a touch of shade in the middle of the day.