{"product_id":"purple-cat-s-whiskers-orthosiphon-aristatus","title":"Purple Cat's Whiskers - Orthosiphon aristatus","description":"\u003cp\u003ePurple Cat's Whiskers (\u003cem\u003eOrthosiphon aristatus\u003c\/em\u003e) is a bushy, fast-growing shrub, about 1m tall and wide, that carries soft purple-lilac flower heads with long, curved 'whiskers' through the warmer months. It grows naturally in far north Queensland, India and southern Asia, so it loves warmth and regular rain. Pollinators find it quickly, which makes it a good partner in cottage borders and kitchen gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhiskered flowers.\u003c\/strong\u003e Soft purple-lilac cones carry long stamens that stick out like whiskers, which is how the plant earned its name.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour after the petals.\u003c\/strong\u003e When the flowers finish, the purple calyces, the papery covering that held the petals, stay decorative.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFast and bushy.\u003c\/strong\u003e Dark green leaves clothe a rounded shrub of about 1m by 1m, which fills a border gap in a season or two.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFriendly to pollinators.\u003c\/strong\u003e It draws nectar lovers and beneficial insects, so it earns its place among vegetables and herbs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA natural partner.\u003c\/strong\u003e Planted beside the white form, it makes a matching pair of whiskered flower heads in two colours.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCottage gardens and mixed borders.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 80cm apart so the shrubs meet and form a soft, flowering drift. The lilac flowers pair well with other warm climate perennials.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKitchen gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e A few plants among the herbs and vegetables bring pollinators in to do their work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLarge pots.\u003c\/strong\u003e A big container suits it on a warm patio, and in frosty districts the pot can move under cover for winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Purple Cat's Whiskers in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun if you have tropical rainfall, otherwise dappled shade or part shade gives the best results. It is a plant for warm, rain-fed gardens, at home in tropical and subtropical districts. Protect it from frost, or grow it as an annual where frosts are regular.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Moist, well-drained soil of any kind. In sandy ground, work in compost to hold moisture, and keep a layer of mulch over the roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and water regularly for the first 12 weeks while the plant establishes, then keep watering regularly in dry locations. Feed in early spring with a slow release, all purpose fertiliser.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cut it back in autumn to encourage flowering shoots next season. A light clip at other times keeps a denser, tidier shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Purple Cat's Whiskers as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available: the tube shows as sold out when the grower has none, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back. Expect a small leafy plant that grows fast in warm weather and flowers once it has some size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/australian-natives\"\u003eMore Australian native plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/bee-and-butterfly-plants\"\u003ePlants that bees and butterflies love\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/creating-a-beautiful-cottage-garden-in-australia-insiders-guide\"\u003eHow to create a cottage garden in Australia\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-subtropical-climates\"\u003ePlants for subtropical climates\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow big does it get?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1m tall and wide, forming a bushy, rounded shrub. Cutting it back in autumn keeps it compact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it in a pot?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, a large pot suits it. Use a quality potting mix, water regularly and move the pot under cover if frost is forecast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat does it need in a cooler climate?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWarmth and shelter. Plant it after the last frost, protect it through winter, or treat it as an annual that you replace each spring.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790861795647,"sku":"ORT-ARI-tube","price":20.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":67790861893951,"sku":"ORT-ARI-140MM-P10","price":209.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/purple-cat-s-whiskers-orthosiphon-aristatus.jpg?v=1792209848","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/purple-cat-s-whiskers-orthosiphon-aristatus","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}