Strobilanthes dyerianus
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Tried and True Recommended by 9 Professionals
Common Name: Persian shield
Type: Broadleaf evergreen
Family: Acanthaceae
Zone: 10 to 11
Native Range: Burma
Height: 1 to 3 feet
Spread: 1 to 3 feet
Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
Bloom Color: Blue, Purple
Bloom Description: Violet
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Unknown
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Leaves: Colorful
Tolerates: Wet Soil
Uses: Rain Garden, Suitable as Annual

Culture

Winter hardy to USDA Zones 10-11. In St. Louis, grow as annual bedding plants that are replaced in the garden each spring or in pots/containers which are overwintered indoors or as houseplants. Pinch stems as needed to avoid legginess and stimulate bushiness. Best grown in organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Likes consistently moist soils. Best foliage color in part shade. Full sun is probably best only in cool summer climates. Plants may be overwintered indoors in a bright sunny room, however as plants age and begin to develop woody stems the quality of the foliage color usually declines. Consider taking cuttings from overwintered plants for spring planting and/or taking cuttings in late summer for overwintering.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Native to Burma (Myanmar), Persian shield is a soft-stemmed, tropical, evergreen shrub or subshrub that is grown primarily for its attractive iridescent purple foliage. It grows 3-4’ tall in frost-free climates, but typically grows 1-3’ in the St. Louis area. Features ovate-lanceolate dark green leaves (to 8” long) that are flushed with silvery-purple iridescence above and dark purple beneath. Spikes of tiny violet 5-lobed funnel-shaped flowers usually do not bloom during the St. Louis growing season, but infrequently may be seen on overwintered plants in greenhouses. Flowers appear in short cone-shaped inflorescences, thus giving rise to the less frequently used common name of Burmuda conehead. Genus name comes from the Greek words strobilos (cone) and anthos (flower). Synonymous with Strobilanthes dyeriana.

Plant of Merit

Bold, iridescent purple leaves with prominent dark green veining develop a silvery sheen with age on this upright, shrubby foliage annual that grows 2–4 feet tall. Best foliage colors are developed in locations with part afternoon shade, but plants tolerate close to full shade. Foliage contrasts exceedingly well with green-leaved plants in beds and borders.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Watch for spider mites on indoor plants.

Garden Uses

Annual bedding plant. Containers. Houseplant.

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