June Plant of the Month

Pentas (Pentas lanceolata)

If you are looking for a tough but showy summer flower for containers or garden beds then you should consider Pentas (Pentas lanceolata), sometimes called Egyptian star flowers. Pentas are an annual summer flowering plant. They have attractive 3” dense clusters of star-shaped flowers that come in many colors including red, pink, purple, and white. They are tough plants tolerant of drought, heat, and are deer resistant. This flower is often a favorite among hummingbirds and butterflies.

There are several varieties of Pentas. The Graffiti series has dark leaves that contrast with vibrant flowers. The Lucky Star series is more compact and well-branched. The Butterly series has a wide range of colors and is known for attracting pollinators.

Pentas will need full sun to get the best blooms. They can get 1 to 2 feet tall and wide. Their size makes them a great option for a filler in mixed containers or garden beds as mass plantings and borders. They are low maintenance, requiring little care once established, but do monitor for spider mites and aphids that may affect these plants.

Jessica Strickland is an Agriculture Extension Agent, specializing in horticulture for North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Wayne County.  Forward any questions you would like answered from this month’s column to Jessica.Strickland@waynegov.com.

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