Hypoestes aristata (Ribbon Bush)

A stunning shrub that's brought colour to a section of the eastern border is the Hypoestes aristata (Ribbon Bush).

This small shrub flowers between March and August so will brighten up my garden during winter when  very little else flowers.

The Ribbon Bush (so-called because the petals curl like florist's ribbon) has soft, dark green leaves and clusters of tubular mauve or pink flowers.  Bees, butterflies and other small insects visit the flowers, providing a source of food for insectivorous birds like Southern Boubou, robins, thrushes and barbets.

After planting a grouping of H. aristata we had a Cape Robin-Chat visit, but he just sat on the garden wall, scanning the developments.  After 2 weeks, he ascertained that it was safe to venture closer and is now a daily visitor.  He's obviously getting a good snack off the small shrubs.  This week we noticed that he even brought a friend!