Plantidote of the Day 2012-02-21

Mystery plant

This is a multi-branch shrub, between three and four feet high and about as wide. It's growing in a sunny spot here in Zone 10. The long, arching branches end in purple and lavender flowers and it's been blooming like this all winter, actually most of the year.

It reminds me of Mexican sage, except there are lots of sages around and they are different plants. Also, the sages get cut back to almost nothing every winter to get them blooming and this plant is never cut back.

It's the only plant like this in the neighborhood, so it's not something that has spread from somewhere else. Forgot to check for fragrance, but if there is any, it's subtle. So those are the clues -- anyone have thoughts about what this might be?

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Readers, please send twig (twig4now@gmail.com) images and stories for the ongoing Plantidote of the Day series. In exchange, you'll win undying fame in the form of a hat tip! Plants growing in your garden, your house, or neighbor's yard, plants from the forest or farmers' market, plants you preserved, plants you prepared (wine; cider; tea; dried beans), plants you harvested (grains; chanterelles), plants you picked (flowers), plants you dried (herbs), plants you covet or hope to grow someday. Herbal remedies, propagation tips, new varieties, etc.. And if you can, include some solid detail about the plant, too -- a story, the genus and species, or where you got the seeds, or the recipe, or your grandmother gave it to you. Or challenge us with a "Name That Plant" mystery entry ... And please feel free to add corrections and additional information in the comments.

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