Common name: Egyptian Stars, Egyptian star cluster
Family: Rubiaceae (Madder)
Height x width: 6' x 3', often less in northern gardens and containers
Growth habit: upright, shrubby
Growth rate: moderate
Foliage: ovate to lanceolate; opposite to whorled
Flowers: flat or domed cluster (corymbs) of salverform (tubular, spreading at the tips) florets, generally red, pink to purple
Hardiness: USDA zone 10
Soil: well-drained
Light: sun
Pests and Problems: aphids and red spider mites mainly indoors
Landscape habit, uses: massed, low hedging, pots, cut flower
Other interest: named for the five (Greek penta) floral parts; native to tropical Arabia, Africa and Madagascar; often seen as a greenhouse flowering potted plant or cut flower
Other culture: keep well-watered during growth, well-fertilized, prune to shape, overwinter indoors before frost or from rooted cuttings
Propagation: seed, softwood cuttings
Species: of the 30-40 species, lanceolata is the main one of ornamental use, together with its main cultivar 'New Look' which is also the main cultivar usually found; other cultivars below are generally not of this or other species
Cultivars:
| Cultivar | flowers | other |
| 'California Lavender' | pale lavender | dwarf, many flowers |
| 'California Pink' | pale pink | compact |
| 'Clean White Shorts' | white | deep green leaves |
| *'New Look' | light pink | dark green leaves |
| 'Orchid Star' | lilac, large | light green leaves |
| 'Pink Profusion' | pink, white center | compact |
| 'Ruby Glow' | red, star shaped | compact |
| 'Stars and Stripes' | bright red | yellow striped foliage |
| 'Tu-Tone' | pink, red center | compact, large umbels |
Return to Perry's
Perennial Pages | HGPO
course | PSS123 course