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Botanical name: Pentas lanceolata
Egyptian Star Flower features showy corymbs of cherry red star-shaped flowers with lilac purple overtones at the ends of the stems from late spring to early fall. Its large textured pointy leaves remain forest green in color throughout the year. The fruit is not ornamentally significant..
Other names: Star Cluster, Starflower
| Hardiness zone | 8b |
|---|---|
| Flower color | cherry red |
| Foliage type | evergreen |
| Plant form | upright spreading |
| Mature height | 24 inches |
| Spread | 24 inches |
| Light requirements | full sun to partial shade |
| Moisture requirements | average to moist |
| Plant origin | import |
Egyptian Star Flower features showy corymbs of cherry red star-shaped flowers with lilac purple overtones at the ends of the stems from late spring to early fall. Its large textured pointy leaves remain forest green in color throughout the year. The fruit is not ornamentally significant.
Egyptian Star Flower is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other garden plants with finer foliage.
This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and can be pruned at anytime. It is a good choice for attracting bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;
Insects
Egyptian Star Flower is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Mass Planting, General Garden Use, Groundcover, Container Planting
Egyptian Star Flower will grow to be about 24 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 20 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years.
This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America. It can be propagated by cuttings.
Egyptian Star Flower is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.
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