This is a vigorous, deciduous, erect shrub with bronze veined, olive-green leaves, tinted purple underneath. From Summer to Autumn, it features clusters of pendent bright orange-red flowers. Position in either full sun or partial shade in a sheltered spot and keep indoors over-winter in colder parts of the UK. If overwintering under glass plant in bright filtered light in any standard potting compost with good ventilation and moderate humidity. Keep the compost slightly moist but not wet in winter.

It is only reliably root hardy in inner city gardens, the far south/ south west and warmer coastal areas and should be grown in the ground if attempting to overwinter outside. Pots tend to freeze in the winter killing the root stock. Re-growth is fast in the spring with new shoots appearing usually in late May and being back to flowering size by end of July and continuing to grow and flower until the first heavy frosts. If growing outside it is worth applying a thick mulch around the base of the plant to protect the root stock. Requires acid to alkaline, moist but well-drained or well-drained, fertile soil, can tolerate most soil types. Plants grown in more shaded conditions tend to have greener foliage, plants in full sun develop more colourful leaves varying from maroon to dark purple.

Ultimate height: 0.5-1 metres

Ultimate spread: 0.1-0.5 metres

Sent as a young plant in a 9cm pot.