Friday, February 17, 2012

Egyptian Star Flower, Semi-evergreen Perennial of The Day

Pentas lanceolata
    Star Cluster,  Egyptian Star Flower,  Pentas,  Egyptian Star Cluster

Type    Perennial
Hardy range    9A to 11
Height    24" to 4' / 60cm to 1.20m
Spread    12" to 36" / 30cm to 90cm
Growth rate    Fast
Form    Rounded
Exposure    Partial shade or partial sun to full sun
Persistence    Semi-evergreen

Bloom Color    Blue, lavender, pink, purple, red and white
Bloom Time    Spring through Fall

The flowers are showy.

Environment
This plant tolerates some drought and a little salt.
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to neutral (less than 6.8 to 7.2) soil.

Leaf Color    Green
This plant has attractive foliage.

Culture Notes
Tolerant of a wide-range of soil types, Egyptian Star Cluster prefers fertile, well-drained soil, regular moisture, and will grow quickly in full sun or light shade.  Plants will flower fairly well with as little as 2 to 3 hours of sun each day.  Plants can be dug, cut back, and stored in a container of soil over the winter in climates that receive freezing temperatures.  Water occasionally to keep roots from drying out and replant and fertilize in the spring.  Heavy mulch applied over the crown of plants cut back to the ground will help plants survive winter in hardiness zone 8.  In most years, plants regrow from the partially buried stems in the spring.  Plants can be clipped as a hedge but flower production will suffer.  They are best left unclipped so flowers are free to develop on new growth. Plants serve as butterfly nectar sources.