Strobilanthes dyeriana
Persian shield
Also known as Perilepta dyeriana, Strobilanthes dyeranus
- Height × spread
- 1.8m × 2.5m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 10C & above (RHS H1b)
- Flowers
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A delight to the eye this has paired lance-shaped leaves which almost shimmer. They are coloured in tones of silver lilac and green with a green midrib and leaf edge' The stalks are both spreading and upright and the leaves arch outwards in an appealing manner. It is primarily grown for the effect of its extraordinary foliage but there are small chunky funnel-shaped blue flowers with five lobes that peep out from the foliage, though they cannot compete with them for beauty. They appear at intervals during the year. This originates in tropical parts of Asia and is best grown in a conservatory. It is a shrubby perennial in character so has its feet - or rather roots, in two plant categories. It can reach nearly two metres in height in the wild but is much more compact under domestic cultivation.
- Flower colour
- Blue
- Foliage colour
- Green, Grey, Lilac, Purple, Silver
- Variegated
- Yes
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 1.8m
- Spread
- 2.5m
- Height in 10 years
- 0.6m
- Spread in 10 years
- 1.2m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 10C & above (RHS H1b)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Indoor light
- semi shade
- Indoor temperature
- 15C minimum temperature
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Indoors
Apply slow release fertiliser
Apply a slow release fertiliser which is spread around the root area of plants soon after they have come into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Winter · Indoors
Keep moist, but not standing in water
Keep moist at all times. Water more sparingly in winter, keep the compost just moist.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Loam based houseplant compost for repotting
Buy container or house plant compost that is loam based if possible (i.e. is based on John Innes compost number 2 or 3. This contains more fertiliser and is better suited to established plants.
John Innes no. 1 has the lowest level of fertiliser and is used for seedlings and young plants, so is generally used where plants will be 'potted on' after a number of weeks.
Indoor temperature · Planting
15C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 15 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in moderate light / some shade
This plant is happiest in a position with part or light shade, near a sunless window or some distance away from a sunny or bright window. It should not be exposed to full sunlight.