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I got this as S. atropurpurea from a local nursery and was then told that it was S. wallichii. Most recently Dr. John David has identified it as S. attenuata and that seems to be a good 'fit'. A vigorous Himalayan species that has done well in the herbaceous border. I wasn't sure what to do with it but I have seen it running wild along a moist ditch in a woodland garden so it might find a place at the bottom of the garden where there is some moisture. Writing in the Bulletin of the Alpine Garden Society in 2015, Robert Rolfe says: "Best of all is long-flowerin Strobilanthes attenuata, a low-growing, 25-40cm tall, violet-blue flowered Nepalese stalwart (it also occurs further west in the Himalayas, at uo to 3,600m). It is in bloom from midsummer until October, its ongoing September display coinciding in Rod and Jane's [Rod and Jane Leeds] garden with that of white-flowered, Japanese Oxalis articulata f. crassipes 'Alba'. Both are best sited in partial shade, planted on a slight slope in orfer to stave off waterlogging, and given a half-strength liquid feed to bolster their performances." Plants of the World online says "The native range of this species is Afghanistan to Indian Subcontinent. It is a perennial and grows primarily in the temperate biome." Digging Dog Nursery say "Indigenous to Nepal and, sadly, seldom cultivated, this soft-looking bushy perennial furnishes legions of fetching Salvia-like blue-violet flowers, glistening cone-shaped purple buds and fuzzy, drip-tipped foliage. The curved, vividly colored blooms populate dense, late season terminal spikes for several months, while winsome green leaves cloak square, well-branched pubescent stalks. Happiest in bright shade with good drainage plus adequate moisture, Strobilanthes attenuata’s easy-care low mounding habit and large tubular blooms impart cool, composed summertime hues that set off perennials such as Crocosmia ‘Paul’s Best Yellow’ or Anemone ‘Wild Swan’." |
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| 6th October 2012 | ||
