An upright perennial with long, narrow leaves and violet-purple, petunia-like flowers from late spring into fall. It handles heat and some shade, and gives a lush, green look where water is available.
Living with it in the Phoenix Valley
Watering
Follow the shrub schedule in our Landscape Care guide. It looks best with steady water in summer. The more water it gets, the faster it spreads, so drip is better than flood or spray irrigation.
Pruning
Cut it back hard in late winter after the frost season to clear out damaged stems. A lighter cutback in late summer refreshes leggy plants.
Spread
It forms expanding clumps from underground runners, and ripe seed pods can fling seed several feet. Pull unwanted seedlings while they are small.
How our designers use it
Lush, green plantings
Its upright leaves and constant purple flowers fit tropical and courtyard gardens.
Contained beds
We prefer it in planters or beds bordered by hardscape, where its spread has a natural limit.
Heat and partial shade
It tolerates spots that are too hot for many lush plants and too shady for many desert ones.
Good to know
Spreading
This plant is listed as invasive in Florida and can take over beds with generous water. Dwarf selections like ‘Katie’ are much less aggressive.
Around the pool
No thorns and modest litter, but spent flowers drop daily in summer.
