Tropicals - Penta
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  I was told that I had to bring my penta plant indoors for the winter, which I did. When I was in Cincinnati in late summer, I saw many large penta plants which obviously had not been taken up last fall. What do you think? Also, when I grew up in the country, we had a plant called "Snow on the Mountain". I have not found it in local stores or in catalogs. Like poinsettias, the upper leaves turn white. They make a fabulous display. Any idea where I might find the seeds?

  Penta’s are not winter hardy in Arkansas, much less Cincinnati. If the plants were large, chances are the grounds people lifted and stored the plants for winter. They overwinter well in greenhouses. They make a great annual for us, blooming almost non-stop. They do need to be lifted and stored before a frost, or new plants put out each spring. Snow-on-the-mountain, is Euphorbia marginata. It is available from many seed catalogs, including Park Seed, where they call it White Top, and give the Latin name. Burpee’s should carry it also. Check with local nurseries to see if they don’t have the seeds. It is native from South Dakota to Texas. It thrives on heat and drought. Once established, it should reseed itself yearly.

  Enclosed is a flower I would like to know the name of, so if it doesn’t come back this year, I can buy another one. The hummingbirds just loved it. Someone called it a butterfly plant, but I don’t know if that is right. It did great!

  The plant in question is a Penta (Pentas lanceolata), also called Egyptian Star flower. Unfortunately, it is not winter hardy in Arkansas, but makes a great summer bedding plant, with non-stop blooms. Flowers come in red, pink or white. Butterflies and hummingbirds love it. Dead head the spent flowers, and prune back if it becomes too leggy.

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