I bought this darling plant a few years back at a nursery whose staff (if you can believe) knew nothing about it! They said one of their customers had propagated it and all they knew was that it's very hardy, drought-tolerable, and keeps coming back year after year. I've had it now for a few years, it's about 3 feet high. It's a sort of whispy, cottage-garden-like shrub. They bloom in late spring/early summer. The tiny flowers are fuchsia/magenta/raspberry in color and, while at first glance the blossoms appear to be prickly, they're actually very soft to the touch. I've uploaded a couple photos, I hope these help? I think they are a perennial, because they do come back every year, even after I've trimmed the bazooka out of them. But here in Southern California, some plants that are annuals will behave like perennials, simply because of the warm weather and good soil. I can't find these in any other nursery I've visited. I did have some luck propagating from clippings, but I'd like to have a lot more. And the nursery I bought them from no longer carries them. Thank you for your help! :)
That's it!!!! You nailed it, David, thank you SO much! :) I'm going to propagate a few more for my neighbors, and who knows -- maybe that little nursery I originally purchased it from might want some more. Everyone loves these, but they are definitely uncommon.
