Strobilanthes rankanensis

RHS Plant Profile

Rankan strobilanthes

Synonyms

Parachampionella rankanensis

Herbaceous Perennial

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A tender perennial with slender, spreading stems that root at the nodes and curve upwards at the tips. Leaves are oval to elliptic, mid-green with serrated edges. Solitary, funnel-shaped purple flowers streaked with white are produced in the leaf axils in summer and early autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or West–facing or South–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): H2

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Acanthaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous, Semi evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Strobilanthes can be evergreen or herbaceous perennials or subshrubs with simple, opposite leaves and spikes, cone-like clusters or loose panicles of tubular or funnel-shaped flowers
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Taiwan

How to Grow

Cultivation

In mild, frost-free areas, may be grown outdoors in light, fertile, free-draining soil in full sun or part shade. In colder areas, grow under glass or in containers that can be moved indoors over winter, in a peat-free, loam-based compost in full light with shade from hot sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown at 13-18°C in spring, or by basal or softwood cuttings in spring or early summer, with bottom heat

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to red spider mite

Diseases

Generally disease-free