Penta- "Giant" Red Pentas (Old fashioned) (Florida Friendly)

Penta- "Giant" Red Pentas (Old fashioned) (Florida-Friendly)

Pentas lanceolata

 Unlike the short hybrid penta, "Giant" pentas can bloom for years.  Something happened in the hybridization process that has made the shorter penta more susceptible to a fungus, killing them often within the first year. Not so with this taller, great-grandparent of what you can find at the box store's, and most nurseries. Cutting back often will produce more blooms.. Protection for Pentas is equivalent to that of every other warm-season perennial. The most common pest is spider mites.