How great is this plant that I want to write about after only having it for 10 days! Cat's Whiskers, Orthosiphon stamineus is a tender perennial shrub that grows to about 3' x 3'. The info on its plant tag promised a home run - filtered sun (my new bed is in a filtered sun, pushing shadey spot), attracts hummers and butterflies and a good cut flower. I knew I had to give it a try - and planted a 4" pot in the shade garden 5 days before Hurricane Dolly. I'm afraid ya'll are gonna get pretty be sick of me referencing Hurricane Dolly, but deal with it . . . . Two days after the storm, as we were beginning to gather up the broken tree limbs, this little gal was already blooming! With everything around her looking so crummy, this little Cat's Whiskers brings a smile to my face!
It really does look like Cat's Whiskers! Orthosiphon stamineus can also be found with light blue or a lavender blooms. My only fear is that Dave's Garden says it needs to stay consistently moist. We'll see how adaptable it is . . . .
3 comments:
I have since 20 years Orthosiphon stamineus in my garden. I have a lavender form. It grows well from cuttings. It has had wet and dry situations and always flowers through summer. I give mine a little haircut from time to time and it reflowers, nothing stops it. It is not invasive at all, makes fantastic borders. I do love this plant.
TITANIA - I'm so glad to hear your love of Cat's Whiskers after growing it for 20 years. Now that's a recommendation! I'll bet the lavender is lovely.
NANCY - I think it's going to be the cat's meow . . . .
I love this plant. I didn't put any in this year, but you have reminded me to do it next year.
Jan
Always Growing
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