Cuphea - Cute as a Mouse

I've had a few people ask me what that cute little flower is in a few of the containers.  Lovingly called the "bat face" flower, Cuphea llavea 'Totally Tempted' is a fun plant to include in a container.  Its red and purple face works well with a lot of different color combinations, especially as a linear accent.  While it is heat tolerant it can get mad if allowed to totally dry out.  It is fairly easy to find at nurseries and some times at the box stores early in the season.

Cuphea llavea 'Totally Tempted'

10-12" tall x 12-18" wide
Full sun
Heat tolerant
Attracts hummingbirds
Fertilize regularly for best results

                                                  

You can see it in the container on Main Street by Perk Avenue Cafe and also in the one by Whidby Jewelers on lower Jefferson by Town Park. 

Soon I hope to have all the containers numbered so they will be a little easier to find, but in the meantime we'll use local landmarks to help you locate them.  Just think of it as a little treasure hunt.

In this container Totally Tempted is combined with Vinca Cora White, Coleus Henna and Bronze Sweet Potato Vine -- the purple of the flower echoing the purple tints on the coleus and the SPV - with the red adding a pop of color. 

I'll be back next time with pictures of some great coleus.