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[2nd Image]
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| Category: Perennial |
| Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae) (Mints) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Red/Purple Foliage: Yes |
| Flower Color: White |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Summer |
| Synonyms: [P. kuntzianus, P. parviflorus] |
| Height: <1 foot |
| Width: 2-3 feet |
| Exposure: Light Shade/Part Sun |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 30-32° F |
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Plectranthus strigosus (Dwarf Spurflower) - A low mat forming plant that grows to about 1 foot wide with short succulent red stems and 1 inch long ovate slightly toothed leaves that are green above with red veins and and with the stems are covered in reddish hairs. From the stem tips emerge the delicate raceme of small white flowers in open whorls in spring through summer. Plant in bright shade in a well drained soil and irrigate occasionally. Hardy to about 30 F. This is a nice delicate plant for a small scale groundcover in a near frost free shady site, even tolerating deep shade, or it can be used as a container plant or even a houseplant in bright light. It comes from forested rocky ridges, cliffs and river valleys in frost free regions of the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The name for the genus comes from the Greek words 'plektron' meaning a "spur" and 'anthos' meaning "flower" in reference to the spur that is found at the base of the corolla tube of the type species Plectranthus fruticosus. The specific epithet means "having short dense bristles" in reference to the hairs on stems and leaves. Other common names include Creeping Spur Flower and Miniature Swedish Ivy. We received this plant as Plectranthus purpuratus, a similar but larger species that lacks the rusty hairs and the constricted floral tube that this species has. Our thanks go to Dan Tyson who suggested that we grow this gem of a plant.
The information about Plectranthus strigosus displayed on this page is based on research conducted in our nursery library and from online sources we consider reliable. We will also relate those observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and in other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has additional information, particularly when they share cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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