Thriller

Early in June, we had the opportunity to visit the backyard of a friend who had lived in Fairfield for about fifty years. He is the only living, original owner left in his neighborhood. His space is shaded by a patio cover and multiple trees. He has some jade plants on his patio that he estimates to be at least thirty years old. They have massive, thick trunks.

But what stood out from all the rest was a large shrub that filled the corner of his backyard. It had impressive clusters of pink, tubular, petaled flowers. My friend told me the plant had been his deceased wife's pride and joy. He couldn't remember its name, though. I used one of the plant ID apps and found that it was Justicia carnea. Some of its common names are delightful: Brazilian Plume Flower, Flamingo Flower or King's Crown. It is in the Acanthaceae family and had once been in the Jacobinia genus but was changed to Justicia genus. It is native to a few South American countries.

Justicia carnea flower photo by Keith Arrol

The plant is sensitive to frost but can be grown in USDA Zones 8B-11 and Sunset Zones 8, 9, 13-24, H1 and H2. In areas outside these zones, many people grow them as houseplants that they bring outside in the summer. Justicia carnea likes rich soil, moisture, and shade to partial shade. The flowers bloom from midsummer to fall and come in red, pink, yellow, orange, and apricot colors. The blooms attract hummingbirds.

The shrub is evergreen with dark green leaves. The plant can be three to seven feet tall and three feet wide. If it needs to be pruned to stimulate growth, do so in early spring. Any later than that, and you will not have any flowers that year.

I don't think this plant would work in my sunny, hot yard unless I went the houseplant route. My husband would probably not be amenable to any more houseplants. But with its tropical but vintage vibe this plant has just resonated with me. I sure hope my friend will let me visit.

For more information on Justicia carnea please see the Sunset Western Garden Book and the wonderful plant sheet by Edward Gilman. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu//publication/FP308

Justicia carnea shrub photo by Keith Arrol