Strobilanthes attenuata

Strobilanthes attenuata is a perennial ornamental ground cover that is easy to grow in slightly shaded and not too dry areas in summer and should be more used. Perfectly hardy and happy even in poor soil under bushes, it forms beautiful, dense clumps adorned with tubular, pretty bright purple flowers at the end of the season. They bloom in spikes, above abundant oval and velvety, strongly veined leaves, which take on beautiful colours in autumn.This plant prefers the cool shade of the undergrowth but can be grown in the sun in cool climates. 

Strobilanthes attenuata is one of the few hardy species in this genus of more than 250 species, most of which are native to Madagascar or temperate tropical Asia. It belongs to the same family as the acanthus, the acanthaceae. The plant is deciduous, its vegetation emerges from the ground in spring and disappears in winter. It forms a woody-based crown of upright stems, reaching 1 m (3ft) to 1.50 m (5ft) in all directions, depending on the growing conditions. The stems have swollen nodes and bear opposite, oval, toothed, slightly hairy, matte green leaves. The bright purple composite flowers with 5 unequal lobes have a curious flared and bent tube shape. They are grouped in tight inflorescences at the top of the branches. The foliage turns pink-purple in November, before disappearing in winter. This plant spreads in width through lateral stems that produce roots. 

Strobilanthes are still very little known, despite having some remarkable and useful hardy perennial species for shaded areas. Strobilanthes attenuata will be happy on the edge of the undergrowth or under a hedge, even in soil full of roots, where it can be associated with small periwinkles, bugbanes, or even the ornamental strawberry Pink Panda. In the north, this plant will tolerate the sun well, if the soil does not dry out. In hotter regions, it is better to plant it in a shaded bed with ferns, Japanese anemones, etc.