General Description | An evergreen tropical shrub with terminal rosettes of numerous sharp spear-shaped leaves. Branches are usually singular or in groups of two. It carries bell-shaped, white- to purple- coloured flowers. |
ID Characteristic | Sharp spear-shaped leaves in terminal bunches. Nodding, bell-shaped white or purple flowers spanning approximately 8 cm across in terminal bunches. |
Landscape | It can be used in drought resistant urban areas, as urban architectural accents, as potted patio shrubs, in courtyard gardens and as a standalone container plant. |
Propagation | Propagation by seed or by cuttings. Sow seeds in spring when temperatures remain between 19° - 24° C. Roots can be cut in the winter, or root suckers can be taken at any time in the spring. |
Cultivation | Thrives in a loam-based compost, but can tolerate chalky soil or sand. It can grow well in soils of any acidity. The soil should be slightly moist but keep the soil overall well-drained. In the spring, summer and autumn grow outside in containers. In the winter grow indoors under glass. |
Pests | Aphids and snails are known to feed on the foliage. Its leaves can be susceptible to leaf spots. |
Notable Specimens | Muttart Conservatory, Edmondton, Alberta, Canada.
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Bark/Stem Description | Smooth and gradually scaly as it nears the foliage. |
Leaf Description | Sharp, pointed, blade-like leaves gathered in terminal rosettes. |
Flower Description | Nodding bell-shaped flowers. The flowers come in terminal panicles measuring approximately 8 cm in width. |
Colour Description | Its leaves are a mix of a deep blue-green and a vivid true green. The pointed ends of the leaves brown-yellow with age as new foliage develops. Flowers can vary in colour from white to purple, or any mixture thereof in between. |
Texture Description | Smooth bark that gradually becomes more scale-like as it approaches the foliage. Can be compared to the smoothness of bamboo. |