Persian Shield
(Strobilanthes dyerianus)
Hardy to Zone 8
Colors - Purple, silver (iridescent)
Foliage - 3"-7" inches long, 2"-3" wide
Size - 2-3 ft. tall +
Exposure - Partial shade
Culture - "Persian Shield" features iridescent, colorful leaves of purple, green and silver. I've always grown it in a container, where it starts out slow but eventually gets very tall (about 2-3 ft.) by mid-summer. This plant loves the heat but wilts easily and it prefers semi-shade during the hottest part of the day. Unfortunately, it is very tender and turns to mush after the first frost. Cuttings can be taken and I read that it can be treated as a houseplant, although I haven't tried this. In containers, it looks nice with ferns, coleus, impatiens, caladiums or begonia. In the ground, I would use it with tropical-type plants like canna, elephant's ear and gingers.
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Colors - Purple, silver (iridescent)
Foliage - 3"-7" inches long, 2"-3" wide
Size - 2-3 ft. tall +
Exposure - Partial shade
Culture - "Persian Shield" features iridescent, colorful leaves of purple, green and silver. I've always grown it in a container, where it starts out slow but eventually gets very tall (about 2-3 ft.) by mid-summer. This plant loves the heat but wilts easily and it prefers semi-shade during the hottest part of the day. Unfortunately, it is very tender and turns to mush after the first frost. Cuttings can be taken and I read that it can be treated as a houseplant, although I haven't tried this. In containers, it looks nice with ferns, coleus, impatiens, caladiums or begonia. In the ground, I would use it with tropical-type plants like canna, elephant's ear and gingers.
Return to Perennials and Annuals