A beautiful scrambling shrub, native to the sub-tropical Himalayas, also called Parasol, Cup and Saucer or Chinese hat. Holmskioldia Sanguinea is a large shrub that belongs to the family Verbenaceae. The species name Sanguinea has its Latin origin (Sanguis means blood, ruddy complexion) to denote its red colored flowers. This erect scandent (climbing) shrub that bears deep red bracts and narrowly trumpet-shaped flowers that gives it the unmistakable appearance of tiny, wide-brimmed Chinese style hats, and have made this a popular ever blooming ornamental shrub in the tropics. This fantastic plant will attract butterflies and hummingbirds. The rounded Sanguinea shrub grows fast, up to 6ft high and 6ft width, on a trellis or some other support. The leaves are ovate or ovate-elliptic,slender-pointed, slightly toothed, and 2-4"(7.5cm) long. They are mid-green and slightly serrated. Flowering occurs usually during October to December and sometimes up to the end of March! Its unique flowers (2.5cm) are the main interest of this scrambling shrub: each is a narrow, orange to scarlet tube backed by a broad, circular red calyx (1.8cm), appearing in dense terminal clusters through summer and fall. There are also yellow and bronze flowered forms. The flowers are used as cut flowers. After the flowers come the black 4 lobed caps (fruits). The long, trailing canes make it ideal for espaliering. Hardiness zones : 10 ? 11 (1c/35f, 4c/40f). The Holmskioldia Sanguinea adaptability to poor soil, resistance to diseases and infestations and requirement of very little care make this attractive plant a gardener's choice. Water the plants moderately during the growth season, less in winter. Feed the plant with a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly. They are frost tender. Pinch them regularly to prevent stems from becoming too elongated. Prefers full sun but will bloom in filtered light. This plant is well suited to grow on barbed wire or other fences, arbors and trellises. Pruning its staggering growth, preferably after flowering is over, keeps the plant in good shape. This plant is good as a specimen plant or grown in a border.