My yard is my private lab to experiment with creativity, a sanctuary from the world, and a place to recharge my green therapy. I like to try new and interesting plants and gardening aspects. This spring I found a curious plant at Martha’s Bloomers with an intriguing name that caught my imagination. Bat-faced Cuphea has not disappointed me.
For many of you this delight might already be a yearly regular in your garden. Cuphea is a genus containing about 260 species of annuals, native perennial flowering plants that are native to warm, temperate, and tropical regions of the Americas. The species ranges from low-growing herbaceous plants to semi-woody scrubs up to 2 ½ feet tall with equal spread. Commonly they are known as cupheas, or, in the case of some species, as cigar plant. The generic name is derived from the Greek word κυφος (kyphos), meaning “bent,” “curved,” or “humped.”
Cuphea llavea is in the loosestrife family (Lythraceae). This fast-growing tender broadleaf evergreen sub-shrub native to Mexico is sold as an annual or houseplant in cooler climates, sometimes under the synonym C. blepharophylla.
I couldn’t wait for the excitement of its bloom to see what creature would emerge, and I was not disappointed. Besides being a great conversation starter due to its unique flower shape, it did very well in our June high pressure dome heat wave this year.
Bat-faced cuphea begins blooming in late spring and continues until frost, producing clusters of numerous flowers in the leaf axils. They do well and are profuse with adequate watering. Each flower has a one-inch long, hairy purple calyx with two upward facing red petals at the end, forming the “ears” to go with the “bat face.” The remaining four petals are just little spiny remnants in the species, but in some cultivars these are fully developed. These flowers are attractive to hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. The small brown lentil-shaped seeds are found at the base of spent flowers that remain on the plant.
Next spring, I plan to combine the bat-faced cuphea with red and purple coleus. I might even plant a barrel with several seeds for one low-maintenance, showy display. Just press the seeds into the soil surface or barely cover. The seeds should germinate in 8 – 10 days when temperatures are at 70 degree.
A garden requires patience, labor, and attention. There are no gardening mistakes, only experiments. Bat-Faced Cuphea was my success story of this summer.
