CUPHEA. Central American perennials and semishrubs, most of them with small, pointed-oval to lance shaped leaves and tubular flowers of various bright colors. Several are valued for containers and perennial borders. Sun or light shade, most soils, regular watering. Fairly tender (assume 25o).
aequipetala. Though the species is listed as growing about 2’ tall, this selection is perfectly prostrate. It has closely packed, tiny dark green leaves and is decorated much of the year by small purple blossoms. In mild climates it should make an attractive ground cover.
glutinosa. A neat, mounding perennial, under 1’ in height. It has many slender stems, closely lined by pairs of dark, narrow leaves. Decorating the plant for many weeks in summer and fall are flared ½” blossoms. These are painted deep lavender overall, with a darker midrib on each segment.
ignea. The popular cigar plant is a dense semishrub growing about 1’ tall. It has attractive dark green leaves and white-tipped scarlet flowers borne in profusion during the warmer months.
micropetala. A low, spreading or even cascading plant, with large, dark leaves. Showy orange blossoms with yellow tips decorate the plant throughout the warmer months.