Deep Pink Pentas or Star Flower
by Kathy White
Title
Deep Pink Pentas or Star Flower
Artist
Kathy White
Medium
Photograph - Photography--greeting Cards Or Notes Are Cheaper By The Dozen!
Description
This "Deep Pink Pentas" flower was another of the potted flowers that I bought at a roadside garden shop, after asking the lady who owned it to give me something I couldn't KILL! Ha. I am notorious for buying plants, forgetting to water them and them dying in a short period of time...therefore wasting my money. I love them, but do NOT have a green thumb. This season, I am trying really hard to be better. This flower should be a good choice for me.
Pentas is a genus of the Rubiaceae family of flowering plants. Pentas lanceolata is a particularly popular species. The plants have dark green, lance-shaped, somewhat furry and deeply veined leaves providing a backdrop for prolific clusters of never-ending, five-petaled flowers.
These may be red, white, lavender, purple, or shades of pink. Some are two-toned. Pentas are attractive to butterflies, and hummingbirds. They are used in pots, baskets, and borders, where they can withstand full sunlight and need little to no care, growing even in locations that are dry and hot. See? How could I go wrong? Ha....just give me time!
Pentas are semi-tropical shrubs grown as annuals that seem to be tailor-made for butterflies...and I do LOVE butterflies! The nectar-rich flowers grow in clusters over a long blooming season in the vibrant shades that act as a butterfly beacon. Bees like them too, so consider adding this plant to a landscape space you want buzzing with activity.
They are also commonly called a Star flower, Egyptian star flower, and star cluster.
Full sun is preferred, although some afternoon shade is tolerated. Plants that receive at least three hours of direct sun will have the best blooms. Pentas that don’t receive enough sunlight will stretch and become leggy. Penta plants may stay in bloom continuously under ideal growing conditions.
Pentas need regular irrigation to stay healthy; keep the soil moisture about the same as a wrung out sponge. They tolerate dry conditions, but drought stressed plants are susceptible to spider mite infestations. Avoid regular overhead watering to prevent unsightly brown spots on the foliage.
Regular deadheading your plant will keep the plants blooming productively.
Pentas thrive in containers or tubs, and they also look cheerful in the ground combined with other hot weather lovers. Depending on the variety you plant, you can have blooms in the spring, summer or fall, and some Pentas will bloom in all three seasons. Now, let's just see if it survives ME!
Uploaded
May 28th, 2013
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