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Picture of hummingbird attractor, Justicia brandegeana or Red
Shrimp Plant
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Justicia brandegeana
(Red Shrimp Plant) |
Family:
Acanthaceae (Acanthus)
Origin: Mexico
Light: Light shade
Height: 2'-3'
Spread: 2'-3'
Blooms: Profuse 2-lipped flower surrounded by red overlapping
bracts, resembles a shrimp, blooms in summer
Foliage: Evergreen
Soil: Keep moist,
acidic
Water: Abundant
Propagation: Seeds, stem cuttings, layering
Uses: Container, border, bedding, mass planting
Caution: Wash hands after handling, may cause allergy
Comments: Justicia brandegeana or Red Shrimp Plant is an exotic
evergreen tropical perennial that attracts hummingbirds. It bears
unique shrimp-like flowers in the Summer; the white tongue-like flowers
are enclosed in a reddish-brown bract. Justicia brandegeana is
easily propagated from seeds or by stem cuttings or by layering. Red
Shrimp Plant thrives well in well-drained, mildly acidic soil in light
shade, given plenty of water. Plant Justicia brandegeana en masse
for a dramatic display in the border or perennial bed. Since Justicia
brandegeana grows quickly and gets leggy, give it a good trim to
maintain shape and size; this will also promote more blooms. thee are
also 3 other cultivars of Shrimp Plant growing in Jenny's Garden
namely, Justicea betonica (White Shrimp Plant) the blossoms are
bluish-white flowers with green-veined white bracts, Justicea
brandegeana Fruit Cocktail (Fruit Cocktail Shrimp Plant) which has
red blossoms and golden lime bract and Pachystachy lutea (Golden Shrimp
Plant) the blossoms of which are white with yellow bract.
USDA Hardiness Zones : 3-9 |
