Life > Home & Garden

Every weekday, get Let's Eat, a daily e-mail with quick, economical and helpful recipes and cooking tips, delivered to your inbox. Sign up here. Also, see our recipe archive.

Posted on Sat, Sep. 26, 2009

e-mail	print	RSS	reprint
AIM	Digg it	del.icio.us	Facebook

In bloom at Botanica: dianthera

Botanical name: Dianthera nodosa "Pretty in Pink"

Location: Shakespearean Garden

Description: This unique tropical specimen bears clusters of tubular, electric pink flowers and glossy, green leaves along graceful, arching stems. The flowers bloom continuously throughout the growing season, providing bold color to shady garden areas. Reaches a mature height and width of 36 inches.

Growth tips: In our zone, this plant should be treated as an annual/houseplant. Prefers partial shade in a moist, well-drained soil. Clumps may be potted in the fall and taken indoors to overwinter.

History: Displayed at Botanica since 2008.

Uses: Good selection for beds and borders or containers. Attractive to bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

Also blooming: Roses, wildflowers, water lilies, annuals, perennials and mums.

Source: Botanica, 701 Amidon, 316-264-0448, www.botanica.org