Lion's Tail. This plant is called "Lion's Tail" probably because it is native to South Africa, but it favors a tiger's tail much more with its bright orange fall flowers arranged in a tail-like spike from this tender perennial. In its native habitats, this species is an evergreen shrub which will reach 6-8 ft. in height. It is in the mint family, Lamiaceae, with its square stems and opposite leaves. In milder climates it will remain evergreen, but in the northern reaches of its range, where it will be killed back from the cold, it is best to leave it until spring when one should cut it back to the living portion. In zone 8 and colder, mulch it in the fall to insure that your plant returns the following spring.
Zones 8-11
