BOTANICAL NAME: Dichorisandra thyrsiflora
COMMON NAME:  Blue Flowering Reed

Clump-forming perennial with a spectacular autumn display of blue flowers.

DESCRIPTION: 
A clump-forming perennial with reed-like stems and lustrous dark green leaves arranged in a spiral formation along them.  They can attain a height of 2.5 metres and the clumps continue spreading outwards.  During autumn, dense racemes (a simple inflorescence in which the flowers are borne on short stalks of about equal length at equal distances along an elongated axis and open in succession toward the apex) of blue flowers with yellow centres make a spectacular display.  This tropical plant belongs to the wandering Jew family, although they are sometimes referred to as blue ginger.

GARDEN USES:
A real gem for shaded, sub-tropical gardens.  They are good background plants for screening, boundary walls or fences.  Dichorisandra thyrsiflora can be grown in pots or containers.

CULTURAL INFORMATION:
Grows best in shade or semi-shade.  Their leaves burn or scorch in sunshine.  They prefer rich, loamy soils and require regular watering.  Tall, untidy stems can be pruned down to ground level.  Feed regularly every 8 weeks with a 5:1:5 granular fertiliser.