Cuphea cyanea is one of those plants that simply shouldn't have any winter hardiness, but that's one of the lovely things about plants not being able to read. Hailing from the southern Mexican states of Chiapas and Oaxaca, I was astounded upon seeing it in the Asheville, NC garden of Jasmin and Peter Gentling, where it made a reliable perennial. Shared cuttings have thrived in our garden trials since 2013, so in 2018, it became a Plant Delights/JLBG introduction. Cuphea cyanea 'Ashevilla' forms a dainty-looking 1' tall x 18" wide airy mound, topped, from late summer through frost with hundreds of tiny dangling pink flowers, each highlighted by a yellow tip, and two cinnamon eyes...seriously cute. Light shade or morning sun in rich soils is best. Cuphea cyanea was the winner of the prestigious RHS Award of Merit in 1978.
