Strobilanthes attenuata (syn. S. urticifolia) - Dark blue-purple Salvia-like flowers set upon a branched terminal spike over mounds of blade-shaped leaves are beautiful en mass. Squat and relatively large, the slightly down-turned tubular flowers occur for much of the summer into autumn. Opposite leaves, especially the newly emergent, expand often with a violet flush. Leaves are finely hirsute as are flowering spikes and buds. Even the flowers on close inspection sport short, silvery hairs. Smartly used as a filler plant or front of the border with other perennials or before taller shrubs this fine, under-utilized perennial certainly enriches the palette. Strobilanthes attenuata embodies greater northern hardiness than does its close cousin, Strobilanthes rankanensis. Full sun to mostly sunny siting planted in fertile, draining soil. Established pot grown plant from cutting.