What is the real name of the yellow Shrimp Plant and can seeds be found? It is the only Shrimp Plant I've ever seen in the area that looked really healthy. I'd like to grow a patch by the building at Palmyra.

Golden shrimp, lollypop plant, Justicia lutea, but Pachystachys lutea is the scientific name
I have a small one, buy have never seen seeds on it, as yet. Here, in Costa Rica it grows into a tree.

Ward,

The plant is available at www.zone9tropicals.com.

Suchie

I'll check it out. Justicas have never grown well for me here, but have seen the yellow it seemed like they were worth a second look.

I grew the yellow form the summer before last. Didn't get a second look in my yard but it could have been the location (surrounded by salvias)

Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

I have had one in a pot for the past 2 years. It seems to be a slower grower than the Justicia brandegeana. Also seems to put out fewer flowers. I did see hummers use it on occasion, but was not their first choice. It never produced any seed pods.


Nancy K. Warsaw MO Zone 6

Ward, I know of 2 different plants called 'Yellow Shrimp Plant'. One is an 'alba' form of the ever popular Justicia brandegeana. It is a nice plant and hummers use it, but it doesn't seem to be a top choice with them.

The other 'Yellow Shrimp Plant' is Pachystachys lutea, which is widely grown here and in the tropics. This is one I really need to check nectar on. I have been told it is a great hummer attractor, but have not seen it used in my yard. However, in Costa Rica, I have seen it used regularly.

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Nancy L Newfield
Casa Colibrí
Metairie, Louisiana USA
USDA Zone 9

All I know is that it had beautiful yellow bracts and white flowers and was probably around 2 feet tall and bushy. And it was blooming strongly in mid summer.

There are photos of the following yellow shrimp plants at Dave's Garden.
Dave's Garden - Shrimp Plant 'Yellow Queen' (Justicia brandegeana)
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/72300/

Golden Shrimp Plant, Lollipop Plant (Pachystachys lutea)
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/72312/

I've had both of them. I've still got a couple of the first one but not in the best places so they don't get a lot of activity. I've probably seen the most hummer activity at the latter in my neighbor's yard.

Happy Thanksgiving to all,

Steve Backes
Valrico, FL (east of Tampa)

I guess my yellow shrimp plant is the golden variety. Thanks, Steve. I have had great success growing this plant from cuttings and it blooms all summer and fall. My hummers love this plant and I would put it in my top 5. I'm happy to send cuttings. Both of my two plants are bushy and very healthy. Suzanne

I've grown the yellow shrimp plant in a pot for 2 years. In my puny climate, it takes all summer to get enough growth to start blooming, but it does better than any other shrimp plant I've tried. Maybe I'll keep it indoors this winter instead of stuffing it in the garage.

Patrick
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place

Suzanne, I'd be interested in cuttings - perhaps we can work out a trade.

Ward,
Sorry to be late in this reply. Haven't been as regular as I'd like on the forum, lately. But yes I'm happy to send some cuttings. If you could email me your address, separately, that would work. I have a method that works to keep them fresh for a few days. I've got some hyacinth bean vine seeds, scarlet runner bean seeds and morning glory seeds I'll throw in for extra. I've got lion's tail seeds galore. But I know you mainly want the shrimp plant. Please don't worry about any trading... What goes around comes around. (If anybody else wants seeds or cuttings please let me know. I've got morning glory sun spots and salvia coral nymph which is still blooming.) Suzanne