Rostrinucula dependens Happy Cascade

Rostrinucula dependens 'Happy Cascade' is an easy-to-grow, unique and highly ornamental plant that is still unknown. This bush is atypical firstly because of its late flowering, in late summer, but of a singular beauty, in the form of long, cylindrical and trailing spikes, gathering charming little pink-purple flowers with prominent stamens. Visible from afar in the garden, it resembles a vegetal cascade that is reminiscent of the silhouette of certain buddleias. It will thrive in fertile and light, fresh but well-drained soil, in a sunny position.

Native to China, more precisely to the provinces of Guizhou, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Rostinucula dependens is a bush belonging to the Lamiaceae family. In the wild, it grows spontaneously at an altitude between 600 and 2500m (1968ft 6in and 8202ft). It shows a flexible and arched habit, composed of numerous shoots that originate from the stump. Its very rapid growth allows it to reach about 1.50m (4ft 11in) in all directions in the space of a season. The variety 'Happy Cascade' distinguishes itself by increased floribundance and more colourful flowering. In mild climates, the branches are not destroyed by strong frosts, allowing this tree mint to exceed these dimensions. Flowering takes place from August to October, depending on the climate and weather. Trailing, cylindrical inflorescences, 10 to 35cm (3.9 to 13.8in) long and 1.5cm (0.6in) wide, appear at the end of the year's shoots. They are rigid and loaded with white and fluffy bracts that open to release small vibrant lavender-pink flowers, from which clusters of pink stamens emerge. The leaves, ovate to elliptical, 4 to 9.5cm (1.6 to 3.7in) long and 1.3 to 4cm (0.5 to 1.6in) wide, are a beautiful bluish green, slightly wavy, arranged alternately along young, purplish, hairy and square-sectioned shoots. Branches aged 2 years take on more brownish hues and become glabrous. The older wood is cream white in colour, covered with a fissured bark.

While it is rather discreet, with its pastel colours and tomentose vegetation, Rostrinucula dependens 'Happy Casacde' is not lacking in personality, which should be highlighted by isolating it, in front of a mass of bushes with staggered flowering or evergreen foliage. It will thrive in our oceanic regions with mild winters, without harsh light and regularly watered. As it regrows from the stump after strong frosts (down to -12°C (10.4 °F)), it can be acclimatized elsewhere, by planting it in well-drained soil or even by cultivating it in a large container to be stored during winter. In hot regions, it requires watering in summer and a non-burning location. An exotic ensemble can be created by combining this tree mint with bush fuchsias (magellanica, regia, excorticata...), a flowering Buddleia officinalis in February, Phormiums for contrast of shapes, Lochroma cyaneum or even Japanese anemones, for example.