Barleria obtusa

A shrub 1-2 meters tall with a semi-erect, slightly untidy growth habit. The stems, square in cross-section when young, often tend to droop downward, giving the plant a sprawling habit. The leaves are obovate and pubescent, turning red or orange before falling. The flowers are solitary and appear in the leaf axils; they are blue-purple and bell-shaped, and are produced en masse in autumn. The flowering is very showy. The species grows wild in South Africa, from the Soutpansberg in the Northern Province, to Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, up to the Eastern Cape Province. It grows quite commonly on hills, in scrublands, and along forest edges in subtropical regions. It is also present in Zimbabwe. It requires a sunny or partial shade location and well-drained soil. Water abundantly during the summer but reduce watering in the winter. A half-hardy species, it can tolerate at most a few light, brief frosts with little damage. Potted plant.