Mauve-blue, unusually lipped flowers are lightly lavender-fragrant! They create a pretty floral display on this shade-loving shrub with its attractive glossy green foliage. Flowers are mauve-blue to purple and the lower petals are ribbed, giving the impression of lips, hence the common name. Five fringed lobes, equal in size, short and rounded, are the flowers distinguishing feature. The numerous flowers produced in summer are attractive to pollinating insects which encourage insect-feeding birds into the garden. Due to its fast-growing nature, suitability to shady conditions and unusual floral display this species has great horticultural value. It is best to grow it in a shaded to semi-shaded area of the garden. See Article about this plant.