Beloperone guttata 'Annie's Favourite'

Rapidly growing perennial suffrutix. Very attractive and characteristic cultivar for its numerous particular inflorescences. This cultivar is the most floriferous of the species.

Suffruticose plant suitable for potting in apartments in a very bright position or in open ground in milder climates. Placed in the background in the flowerbeds, it attracts the eye with its characteristic flowers. It is best to plant several plants together as it tends to shed its leaves at the bottom.
Very easy to grow and fast growing, quite resistant to the cold, it resists well up to a few degrees above zero.
Spectacular and very long abundant flowering that goes from spring to late winter.

Classification
Common Name: Beloperone, Justicia, Shrimp Plant.
Genus and species: Beloperone guttata
Cultivar: "Annie's Favorite"
Family: Acantaceae.

Characteristics
Description of the flowers: Flowers formed by persistent pendulous heart-shaped bracts known as shrimp tails which cover the true flower at the apex which is barely visible.
Flower color: Green bracts which gradually become brick or light red when ripe, the true flower in this cultivar is red with a tubular corolla.
Flowering period: From spring to autumn, the bracts persist until late winter.
Leaves: Oval, evergreen, velvety and very pubescent, light green in colour.
Perfume: It has no particular odors.
Dimensions: The plant reaches a height of more than one meter, but generally remains at 60 cm and 50cm wide.

Cultivation
Exposure: Lover of light, it should be placed in partial shade in summer and during the hottest hours, but tolerates full sun well in other seasons.
Soil: Fertile, loose, well drained with addition of sand and peat. It has no particular pH requirements.
Irrigation: Abundant in the summer, but without stagnation. Good environmental humidity is useful, obtained by placing the pot on a saucer with wet gravel.
Frost resistance: USDA 9; with less than 5-6 degrees it loses its leaves.

Care
Pruning: Trimming to trim the plant, during the period of active growth (spring-summer)
Propagation: From cuttings with more than 20°C.

Notes of interest
Awards: Plant RHS Award Garden Merit (AGM).