Peristrophe speciosa

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Synonyms

Justicia speciosa

Conservatory Greenhouse

An evergreen subshrub to 120cm in height, with elliptic green leaves to 8cm long, and greyish stems. The flowers are magenta, in clusters of 2-3 in the axils of leafy bracts on a branched panicle. They are tubular, to 5cm long, strongly 2-lipped, borne mostly in winter

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1B

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Acanthaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Peristrophe are tropical perennials or subshrubs with simple leaves and showy flowers with long, slender tubes. They can be solitary or in clusters of 2-3, surrounded by a ring of narrow bracts, and arranged in loose heads
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
India

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in containers using soil based compost in bright filtered light. Shelter from midday sun. Water well from spring to autumn, but let the surface of the compost to dry a little between waterings. Apply liquid balanced liquid feed monthly. Reduce watering in winter

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cutting in late spring, early summer. Bottom heat may be beneficial

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

Trim back after flowering

Pests

Glasshouse red spider mite, glasshouse whitefly and other glasshouse pests may be a problem

Diseases

Generally disease-free