Strobilanthes anisophylla BRUNETTHY

Strobilanthes anisophyllus BRUNETTHY is a strobilanthes with particularly elegant, thin, very dark purple foliage with a silver frost, a little more cold-resistant than varieties like Strobilanthes dyerianus. It can therefore be planted in the ground in a very sheltered garden where it will look wonderful in partial shade with silver foliage, for example. This plant also has a very long pale lavender-pink summer flowering that forms a delightful contrast with the dark foliage. It thrives in humus-rich and moist, well-drained soil.

Strobilanthes anisophyllus BRUNETTHY belongs to the genus Strobilanthes which includes more than 250 species, mostly originating from Madagascar or tropical temperate Asia. Most of them are frost-sensitive, or frost-tender, but this anisophyllus species will withstand -5°C (23°F) for a short period. It belongs to the same family as the bear's breeches, the acanthaceae. The Brunetthy 'Lankveld15' cultivar was selected for its finer, dark purple foliage. The plant forms a woody base composed of upright stems, reaching about 70 cm (28in) high with a spread of 50-60 cm (20-24in), sometimes up to 1 m (3ft) in all directions depending on the growing conditions. The stems, characterized by swollen nodes, bear opposite, finely elliptical and toothed, almost black, purple, eye-catching leaves. Flowering begins in May-June and continues until July-August, depending on the climate and growing conditions. The small flowers composed of 5 unequal lobes have a curious flared and bent tube shape, and are a beautiful pale bluish pink, which stands out magnificently against the foliage. 

Strobilanthes are still very little known, despite the value of some remarkable and useful perennial species for shaded areas, in rich and slightly acidic soil. In favourable climates, the Brunetthy strobilanthes thrives on the edge of woodland or in east-facing exposure. Here it can be associated with silver foliage brunneras, dead nettles, or even small periwinkles. Wherever winters are too cold, this magnificent plant can be planted in a large light-coloured pot to highlight its exceptional foliage. The pot can be brought indoors in autumn to a very lightly heated greenhouse or conservatory and taken outside again in May.