Plant of the Week
Shrimp Plant (Justicia brandegeana)
Shrimp plant is one of those tough plants that just really does well on very little care. And since it likes to grow in the shade, it doesn't need much water. You can grow it in sun, too, but it's especially popular as a shade plant that requires little water.
It blooms with a unique blossom on top, resembling a shrimp. Hummingbirds are quick to find it. The standard red is most common, but there is also a yellow and other color blends.
It's a perennial to 2 – 3 feet tall and wide. Insects don't bother it and it doesn't need any fertilizer.
In colder winters, it may suffer some damage. Just trim it back in spring and it bounces right back. If it doesn't freeze back, a little shearing keeps it dense and prolific, often blooming even in December.
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