Japanese name: ルリハナガサ（瑠璃花笠） Scientific name:Eranthemum pulchellum
[Overview]
An evergreen subshrub 0.5–2 m tall.
Leaves are simple and opposite, elliptic to ovate, 10–20 cm long, with fine serrations on the margins.
The petioles are 1–5 cm long.
Spikes 5–8 cm long arise from the leaf axils at the stem tips, and the flowers open from the bottom upward.
The inflorescence bears bracts that are white with green veins.
The flowers are bluish purple, 2–2.5 cm across, with a 5-lobed tip.
Two stamens protrude out of the flower.
The main flowering season is winter, but it blooms all year round if the temperature is suitable.
The fruit is a capsule.
[History]
It was introduced to Japan in the late Meiji period.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings.
5°C or above is good for overwintering.
It prefers sunny, well-drained, fertile soil.
Direct summer sunlight can scorch the leaves, so move potted plants to partial shade in summer.
For potted plants, from spring to autumn water thoroughly when the soil surface dries, and keep them on the dry side in winter; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
Aphids, spider mites and scale insects are pests.
