SUTERA. Mostly South Africa. A large group of annuals, perennials and small shrubs of the snapdragon family, some of them quite ornamental. They have leafy stems and often many-flowered clusters of mostly small, irregular two-lipped flowers. The following are attractive plants for sunny borders, given well drained soil and moderate watering. Their hardiness varies somewhat, though all are best in mild coastal climates.

grandiflora. Purple glory plant. This is an odd, gangly plant redeemed by its showy flowers. It grows up to 3’ high from a woody base, the few stems held more or less erect and branching only sparsely. The flowers are borne at the tips in long, open clusters. Each is about 1" broad with a tube of equal length, and colored lavender to deep purple. It is one of those plants for which it is difficult to find a use in the landscape, except simply to have and admire.

neglecta. A bushy, many-stemmed perennial, growing 12-18" high. Small fuzzy, grey-green leaves are closely set along the lower stems. Extended clusters of 3/4" flowers are carried above them, opening in long succession. The flower are bright lavender overall, with yellow centers.

species unidentified. This was our first sutera, received several years ago from Bill Teague. It is similar to S. neglecta and even conceivably a form of it. However, it is under 1’ high and more compact, with smaller, equally grey-green leaves and more but smaller (about ½”) lavender flowers. It is almost never out of bloom.