Eranthemum Plant  

Like most plants in the family Acanthaceae, it needs to be cut back hard after flowering or it will become very straggly. Compared to many other Acanthaceae plants, the flowering period is relatively short, but it is very attractive when in bloom.The flowers do have a tendency to stay on the shrub after they have withered, which is a shame. They can be flicked off to give a better look - if you have time! I feel this shrub is better placed towards the back of a border rather than right at the front, so it can disappear into the background when it is not in flower. In England, this plant is grown in a pot in a greenhouse. There is apparently a species with rose-coloured flowers, called Eranthemum roseum, but I have yet to set eyes on it. In recent time, I have been given a variant that has much deeper blue flowers than the usual form, which is very appealing when in bloom.