Acalypha herzogiana 'Firetail'

(aka: Acalypha pendula, reptans) The marvelous selection of the South American (Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay) native Acalypha herzogiana has been hopelessly mis-identified as 3-4 other species until a 2011 DNA finally revealed its true identity. Since the early 1980s when Acalypha 'Firetail' hit the horticultural market, this neutered form with no floral stamens, has been a prized for containers and hanging basket specimen, but few folks ever tried it for winter hardiness. Imagine our surprise when in the mid '80s it survived 0 degrees F in the garden. Since then, Acalypha 'Firetail' has been one of our favorite summer flowering perennials. The 8" tall x 2' wide clumps of small, fuzzy green leaves are adorned all summer with 5-7" long, trailing, fuzzy red cattails. Buying a plant is far safer than creating the same effect with your own feline. If you live in cooler winter climates, Acalypha 'Firetail' is delightful for hanging baskets and summer containers.