Itsy Bitsy® White False Heather
Cuphea hyssopifolia 'Monga'
Excellent choice for rock gardens, accents in borders. Evergreen shrub formed by masses of relaxed twiggy branches holding tiny, glossy bright green leaves. Nearly continuous bloom in the South.
| Key feature: | Rock Garden Plant |
| Plant types: | Groundcover, Shrub |
| Garden style: | Cottage |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Evergreen |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 9 - 11 |
| Light needs: | Partial to full sun |
| Sunset climate zones: | 16 - 24 |
| Water Needs: | Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. |
| Average landscape size: | Slow growing to 8 in. high, 18 in. wide |
| Growth rate: | Slow |
| Growth habit: | Compact, Spreading |
| Flower attribute: | Long Bloom Season |
| Special features: | Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Easy Care |
| Landscape uses: | Border, Container, Erosion Control, Rock Garden, Seacoast Exposure |
| Flower color: | White |
| Blooms: | Summer |
| Foliage color: | Green |
| Item no.: | 8300 |
| Retailers for this plant: |
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. For a tidy, neat appearance, shear annually to shape.
Design Ideas
Small ground hugging perennials make excellent groundcover for the front of the perennial border or to cover up exposed legs on older shrubs. Equally suited for slopes and banks where drainage is assured. Destined for rock gardens where they nest the stones in foliage and color. Good edging to define a footpath or set of flagstone steppers. Spreading form will soften edges of raised planters and retaining walls. Suited to containers and best in terra cotta or porous stone troughs with good air exchange.
History
This hybrid was developed by Monrovia and introduced in 2001. It is derived from genus Cuphea, grouped into the Loosestrife family. It was classified by Patrick Browne (1720-1790), the Irish physician best known for writing on plants of Jamaica. Cuphea species are concentrated in tropical regions of Central America, with this one native to Mexico and parts of Guatemala. Species name alludes to the similarity of the foliage to that of the European herb, hyssop.
Lore
Plants and flowers are a lure for sulphur butterflies. Despite it's common name it is not related to the European or South African heathers.
Excellent choice for rock gardens, accents in borders. Evergreen shrub formed by masses of relaxed twiggy branches holding tiny, glossy bright green leaves. Nearly continuous bloom in the South.
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. For a tidy, neat appearance, shear annually to shape.
Design Ideas
Small ground hugging perennials make excellent groundcover for the front of the perennial border or to cover up exposed legs on older shrubs. Equally suited for slopes and banks where drainage is assured. Destined for rock gardens where they nest the stones in foliage and color. Good edging to define a footpath or set of flagstone steppers. Spreading form will soften edges of raised planters and retaining walls. Suited to containers and best in terra cotta or porous stone troughs with good air exchange.
History
This hybrid was developed by Monrovia and introduced in 2001. It is derived from genus Cuphea, grouped into the Loosestrife family. It was classified by Patrick Browne (1720-1790), the Irish physician best known for writing on plants of Jamaica. Cuphea species are concentrated in tropical regions of Central America, with this one native to Mexico and parts of Guatemala. Species name alludes to the similarity of the foliage to that of the European herb, hyssop.
Lore
Plants and flowers are a lure for sulphur butterflies. Despite it's common name it is not related to the European or South African heathers.
| Key feature: | Rock Garden Plant |
| Plant types: | Groundcover, Shrub |
| Garden style: | Cottage |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Evergreen |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 9 - 11 |
| Light needs: | Partial to full sun |
| Sunset climate zones: | 16 - 24 |
| Water Needs: | Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. |
| Average landscape size: | Slow growing to 8 in. high, 18 in. wide |
| Growth rate: | Slow |
| Growth habit: | Compact, Spreading |
| Flower attribute: | Long Bloom Season |
| Special features: | Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Easy Care |
| Landscape uses: | Border, Container, Erosion Control, Rock Garden, Seacoast Exposure |
| Flower color: | White |
| Blooms: | Summer |
| Foliage color: | Green |
| Item no.: | 8300 |
