Strobilanthes gossypina - Pewter Bush

Strobilanthes gossypina is spectacular whether in flower or not. The leaves are a show for most of the life of the Pewter Bush. Silver hairs with a hint of gold. Strobilanthes gossypina grows to 3-4 feet tall and wide. Strobilanthes gossypina will tolerate full sun at the coast but does best with light shade or intermittent sunlight for inland gardens. Strobilanthes gossypina is the accepted name Strobilanthes gossypinus is used by a number of suppliers so you may find the Pewter Bush listed that way also. Strobilanthes gossypina is from the mountains of India. The Pewter Bush has naturalized in Hawaii and Africa. Strobilanthes gossypina is amongst a group of plants that bloom on intermittent cycles, these cycles usually work on a cycle of a prime number of years. This way they can avoid insect predation. In the case of Strobilanthes gossypina this is 7 years. After blooming spectacularly the purple flowered Strobilanthes gossypina prolifically goes to seed and dies. Strobilanthes gossypina is winter hardy into the low to mid 20°F's.