Swedish ivy ‘Velvet Elvis’

* Common name: Swedish ivy ‘Velvet Elvis’

* Botanical name: Plectranthus ‘Velvet Elvis’

* What it is: A new variety of bushy tropical that produces continuous tubular lavender flowers all summer. Leaves are dark green and velvety. In frost-free climates, it’s a perennial. Heavier blooming and less trailing than the previous best Swedish ivy, ‘Mona Lavender.’

* Size: Grows into a slightly upright form about 28 inches tall and 2 feet wide.

* Where to use: Excellent stand-along pot plant in a shady or mostly shady location. Also does well in the ground in any spot out of direct afternoon sun. Can be moved inside and grown as a houseplant in winter.

* Care: Wait until after frost to plant outside (or to move outside if it’s doubling as a houseplant). In a pot, water every day or two when it doesn’t rain. Fertilize with a half-strength balanced fertilizer every few weeks. Snip anytime if you want to neaten the plant or keep it compact. Frost will kill Swedish ivy, so move it inside by the end of September if you want to keep ‘Elvis’ going.

* Great partner: Showy enough as a stand-alone specimen in a pot. In the ground, dark pink begonias make a good annual-flower partner.