Japanese name: スクテラリア コスタリカナ Scientific name:Scutellaria costaricana
[Overview]
A perennial or subshrub growing to 1 m tall.
The stems are tinged dark purple.
The leaves are simple and opposite, elliptic to ovate, 9–18 cm long and 9 cm wide, with pointed tips; the upper surface is dark green and sunken along the veins.
The leaf margins are toothed.
An erect raceme 5–7 cm long at the stem tip bears densely packed flowers.
The corolla is scarlet, about 4–5 cm long, and lipped, with the tube bent at the base and rising upright; the upper lip is hooded, and the lower lip is 3-lobed and bright yellow on the inside.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings, done when the temperature is 20°C or higher.
To overwinter, keep it at 16°C or higher.
It prefers bright partial shade and well-drained, fertile soil.
It dislikes strong direct sun and dry air in summer.
From spring to autumn, take care that it does not dry out, watering thoroughly when the soil surface dries; keep on the dry side in winter.
From spring to autumn, apply slow-release fertilizer or liquid fertilizer.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
