Annuals - Persian Shield (Strobilanthes)
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  (September) I planted a Persian shield a month ago in a large pot on my front step that gets INTENSE sun from noon till sunset. In the pot are purple verbena and dusty miller, both of which are flourishing through watering copiously daily and fertilizing weekly. The Persian shield flourished too, and was beginning to grow taller, when suddenly, I looked out 2 to 3 hours after watering that morning and the plant was totally dried up. What could have happened? I thought that was a very hardy plant.

  I have found that Persian shield tends to do better if it gets morning sun and afternoon shade. While some catalogs list it as a full sun plant, that isn't true in our hot climate. When it is exposed to full afternoon sun it often tends to get a bit of a sunburn. Those planted in morning sun or filtered sun, stay the wonderful dark purple color and flourish up until frost. It also likes to be kept evenly moist -- so if it dried out and was exposed to the full sun, that could explain its early demise. However dying within two hours, sounds to me like it could possibly have been broken off at the pot line?

  (September) I am growing Persian Shield but know little about its care. I think it is an annual. Will potted cuttings survive in our garage, with moderate light, over the winter? Also they receive part sun and wilt when in the sun. Will they retain the purple foliage in the shade? It is truly a lovely plant.

  Persian Shield or Strobilanthes used to be more common as a houseplant than as a bedding plant, but it has proven to be an outstanding summer annual in Arkansas. It has beautiful variegated foliage, but it would not overwinter outdoors. It does root readily, and would probably fare better indoors than in a garage. They do well in full sun to partial shade, but in the intense heat, would probably benefit from a little shade by mid day -- and would benefit from ample moisture. They would not be as colorful in deep shade, but partial shade would work fine.

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