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GENERAL
Origin
:
tropical
Vigour
:
normal growth
rate
Humidity
:
semi-humid, very
humid, extremely
humid
Propagation :
sowing and
pricking out,
cuttings
Maintenance :
moderate
CONDITIONS
Urban climate :
vulnerable
Dessication :
vulnerable
Stagnant water :
vulnerable
Irrigation
:
high
Salinity/ppm :
low (1000 ppm)
Hardiness
:
0°C
SHAPE
Type
:
sub-shrub, shrub
Height
:
1 m-1.2 m
Spread
:
0.5 m-0.9 m
Foliage
:
evergreen
FLOWER
Colour
:
white, pink, lilac,
red, purple
Size
:
6 cm - 10 cm
Period
:
April - October
FRUIT
Type of fruit :
capsule
Fruit size
:
0.6 cm
Egyptian Stars is a tender, perennial herb or subshrub native to eastern Africa and the southern
Arabian peninsula, where plants are found in the wild on the edge of woodland and in scrub.
Many varieties of Pentas have been bred, and they are suitable for garden planting in Arriyadh.
With an upright growth habit, this shrub will reach a height of 1 metre and a width of about half
this. It has quite hairy, dark-green, lanceolate, deeply veined leaves up to 8 cm long and showy
clusters of never-ending, red, white, lavender, purple, or pink, star-shaped flowers. Flowering
begins in spring and continues until the autumn. Plants require a neutral, moderately fertile,
well-drained soil that retains moisture well, and should be planted in light shade or sun, but
not in direct sun during the hottest part of the day. Irrigation and fertilising should be regular
throughout the growing season, and less in winter. Egyptian Stars is not frost-tolerant, and is
sometimes planted as an annual and not a perennial; in a sheltered location in Arriyadh, however,
it may become a long-lived shrub. In hot weather, the plant grows fast and stays in bloom con-
stantly. Propagation is by cuttings and from seed. Prone to white fly, they are generally disease-
resistant. A neat compact plant can be maintained by pinching out the tips in spring: flowers are
self-dead-heading. These are attractive plants for both containers and the garden. The bright red
variety in the ‘Graffiti’ series has a spectacular colour and is a great nectar source.
227
Pentas lanceolata,
Rubiaceae
Egyptian Star Cluster