Acanthaceae
Blepharis pratensis
H
Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
This much-branched perennial or shrubby herb grows up to 1 metre long, featuring a creeping, branched rootstock. Its narrowly elliptic leaves measure 4-8 cm long and 0.9-1.8 cm wide, with margins that are entire or slightly toothed. It produces striking bright blue or mauvish blue flowers, which are 23-30 mm long with a distinctly three-lobed limb.
Where it works in Kilifi
Well-suited for restoration or as groundcover in Kilifi coast gardens, this species thrives in sunny, well-drained locations. It is naturally found in coastal areas and can tolerate seasonally dry conditions.
Growing notes
As a perennial herb adapted to seasonally dry habitats, this plant is likely drought-tolerant once established and will benefit from well-draining soil. While specific growth rate is not documented, regular pruning of related species in the genus can encourage new growth.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: jstor.org, uchicago.edu, nih.gov, grokipedia.com, wikipedia.org, picturethisai.com. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.