Mary Claire Rowe

Orthosiphon Stamineus is pronounced "ore tho SIGH fon stay MIN ee us.'' The word part "ortho'' means erect, and the word part "siphon'' refers to the erect flower tube. However, it has such a lovely common name - Cat Whiskers.

It is the cute whiskers that draw us to this little flower.

It is also known as Java Tea and is used in the Far East for treating diabetes, kidney and urinary disorders, high blood pressure and bone or muscular pain. According to James R. Adams, Curator of the National Herb Garden, part of the U. S. National Arboretum, Washington, D.C. Cat Whiskers is reported to have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and possible anti-cancer effects.

Widely grown in tropical areas, it was only introduced to Western agriculture in the early 20th century. Many commercial products are derived from Cat Whiskers. It is a member of the Lamiaceae family - like lovely garden mint.

So many of the plants I write about in this column are very new to this area, and are not always available in the local nurseries. The reason they are being featured is that they are being grown in the IDEA Garden ,which is located in the southeastern corner of the Tyler Rose Garden Complex. This is where Keith Hansen, Texas Cooperative Extension Agent, and the Master Gardeners of Smith County are working with many plant specialists, especially Dr. Brent Pemberton at Overton, and others at Texas Cooperative Extension at TAMU to introduce new plants that will do well in our area, and add great diversity to our gardens.

If there is a plant that isn't readily available in the local nursery, just ask for it, and hopefully, by next year, it will be developed enough to be for sale. Just keep asking, and it will surely be there soon.

It can be part of your future garden plans. Many people write me asking where they can find the plants. All I can suggest is that they call their local nurseries and ask for it. I do not have any way to tell readers where to find the plants I feature, because most of the plants are growing in the IDEA Garden, or I find them at my favorite nursery.

Good luck hunting.


PLANT FACTS

Orthosiphon stamineus "Blue'' Cat Whiskers

Blooms late spring through summer.

Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, likes full sun.

Growth Habit: strongly upright, Mature height: 3-4 inches, propagation: seeds or stem cuttings.

Warm weather plant.

Hardy to upper 20's.

Blooms 3- 6 inch racemes of one inch flowers.

Water needs: high.

USDA Zone 9-11, which means it will die back in winter, and if cold not too severe, it will return in the spring.

Likes fertile, well-drained soil, like most perennials. Likes a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly.


"What's Blooming In Our Garden'' is a regular feature of the Tyler Morning Telegraph Garden Page. It is written by Mary Claire Rowe, a Master Gardener with the Texas Cooperative Extension, and focuses on flowers and plant life around East Texas. To share your comments on gardening, write her in care of the Tyler Morning Telegraph.

"What's Blooming In Our Garden'' is a regular feature of the Tyler Morning Telegraph Garden Page. It is written by Mary Claire Rowe, a Master Gardener with the Texas Cooperative Extension, and focuses on flowers and plant life around East Texas. To share your comments on gardening, write her in care of the Tyler Morning Telegraph.
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