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Herbaceous PerennialShrubs

Pentas lanceolata

Egyptian star

A tropical evergreen woody-based perennial or sub-shrub, to 2m high, with glossy, hairy, lance-shaped green leaves with deeply impressed veins. Dome-shaped clusters of flowers, with long tubes and spreading, star-shaped petals in shades of pink, purple and white, are produced from spring to autumn

Other common names
Egyptian star cluster
star cluster

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Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Pink Purple White Green
Summer Pink Purple White Green
Autumn Pink Purple White Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1C
Botanical details
Family
Rubiaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

In frost-free areas, may be grown outdoors in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. In colder areas, grow in a temperate greenhouse, or in containers that can be moved indoors over winter, in peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added leaf mould and sharp sand. Minimum temperature 7°C

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown at 16-18°C in spring, or by softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
  • Cut flowers
Pruning

Pruning group 9 in late winter. Plants grown under glass may need restrictive pruning

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and red spider mite

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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