Strobilanthes gossypina (Pewter Bush)

A rounded dense evergreen shrub 1-1.5m tall by a bit wider with very attractive 5-8cm long elliptically shaped opposite paired leaves that alternate 90 degrees to the pair beneath. The leaves are covered in a short fuzz on the upper surface with prominent yellowish veins showing through the fuzz on the lower surface. The hairs are a soft gold color on the newly emerging leaves then age to silver gray with prominent narrow gold colored leaf margins. These leaves shimmer attractively in sunlight and, if the foliage is damp, the green color below also becomes evident. The flowers of this plant are tubular shaped and of a soft mauve color.