Family: Lamiaceae|
Common name: Chinese hat plant, Cup and saucer-plant, Parasol Flower, Mandarin’s hat, Kapni
Chinese Hat Plant is a captivating shrub that can transform your garden with its distinctive bright red, hat-shaped flowers that bloom in plenty. They are native to the Himalayas, and are now grown in tropical countries as ornamental plants.
Plant characteristics
Chinese hat plants can grow to a height of 2-3 meters long, straggling stems. The base of the stem can grow quite thick and rope-like, if the plants are not pruned and shaped regularly.
Leaves are simple, broad, and bright green with a slightly serrated margin. They are 8-10 cm long and covers the top part of the plant with a lush green hue, forming a beautiful background for the deep red flowers.
Flowers are an art form in itself, small tubular flowers with an enlarged skirt-like calyx. The calyxes look like Chinese hats giving the plant its name. Chinese hat plant flowers are 2-3 cm diameter and bloom profusely from spring to early winter, covering the plant with flowers.
The most common flower color is deep red, though there are variants with yellow flowers as well.
The unique shape of the flower also gives the plant the name Cup and Saucer plant and Parasol flower. Because of the abundant blooming, it is easy to mistake the plant for Bougainvilleas, through the plants are not related in any way.
The actual flowers are small with prominent stamens, but the calyxes steal the show with their flair. Chinese hat plants also produce small, 4-lobed fruits though they are not very common in garden plants.
Gardening Tips
Chinese hat plants prefer warm, tropical weather and well-drained, fertile soil though they are tolerant of drought and poor soil conditions. Young plants need regular watering and fertilization till they are acclimatized to the growing conditions.
Fertilize with a well-balanced fertilizer to promote healthy growth. It is good to provide staking or support during the growing years to prevent the branches from stooping to the ground.
Chinese hat plants do well when grown near fences or trellises so that they branches can take support of the structures nearby. Tie the growing branches to the supporting structures initially to train them to grow in the right direction.
Uses of the Chinese hat plant
Chinese hat plants have been used in traditional herbal medicine in the treatment of headaches, skin irritations, dysentery, high blood pressure, inflammations, as well as viral and bacterial infections.
They are grown in parks and butterfly garden since the vibrant flowers attract a variety of pollinators like bees, butterflies, insects, and ants.
Propagation
Propagation is done through stem cuttings or seeds.
Semi-tender stem cuttings can be taken in late spring or early summer and planted in well-drained soil after dipping them in rooting hormones.
Seeds are not common in garden plants, and hence propagation from stem cuttings is more effective.
Photographed at: Nagavara, Bangalore
