IN THE GARDEN THE MANY CHARMS OF 'PERSIAN SHIELD'.

Byline: JOSHUA SISKIN

Have you ever walked into a nursery and seen a plant so stunning that you had to have it, no matter how tropical or delicate it looked?

This is exactly what happened to me the other day with Strobilanthus dyerianus 'Persian Shield.' The moment you see the foliage of 'Persian Shield,' your obsession with flowers, should you have one, will be cured.

Grayish brown veins outline patches of a color that is either violet or magenta or something in between, depending on how the light strikes Strobilanthus leaves at any particular moment.

Strobilanthus is an annual, which means that by November it will be in decline so that for only three months, at most, can it be expected to look as good as it does right now. It is in a 5-gallon container, is exotic and will obviously cost much more than a sturdier daylily, for example, which would flower for years, be ready for division in not too long a time and grow wonderfully whether it is fawned over or ignored.

Now with this new 'Persian Shield' you will want to watch it every day. You will plant it close to your front door so that you can keep an eye on it every time you leave or enter the house. It is supposed to grow in sun or partial shade, so exposure at least should not be a problem. Still, over the years, you have learned that, in the Valley, what is advertised as a ``sun or partial shade'' plant better be put in more shade than sun.

Anything that looks as exotic as 'Persian Shield' was probably grown in a nursery in a milder climate than ours, to the south or west. It could quickly go into shock if it had to face Valley sun unshielded, so best give it some protection. A tall tree that has no branches on its lower 6 to 8 feet and allows dappled light to filter down to the plants in its vicinity may provide the perfect quantity and quality of light needed to test the sun requirement of Strobilanthus.

Usually - within a few days - you will know at this time of year whether a plant is meant to be where you placed it, and if it starts to look peaked, you can quickly move it to a location with more or less light, often only a few feet away from where you first planted it. Do not be afraid to move plants around. As someone once said, ``You are always a beginner in the garden,'' or, if you prefer, a scientist conducting an experiment. The trial-and-error process, after all, is what science as well as gardening are all about.

Any variety of Coleus would make a wonderful companion to Strobilanthus. Each year, Coleus renews its claim to the title of foliage plant king. This year there are some new giant-leafed varieties to go along with the familiar two- and three-colored, as well as solid-colored types. There is also sun Coleus, which grows several feet tall and, for close-up viewing in containers, Coleus with whimsically scalloped leaves. Coleus foliage is available in every color of the rainbow - and then some.

Other foliage plants to consider would include the Alocasias/Colocasias, sometimes referred to as elephant ears, notable for dark purple, nearly black-leafed types, as well as gigantic green ones whose leaves can grow several feet in length. These plants can be planted around water or in drier ground. They are remarkably tough, thanks to bulbous rhizomes which give them the ability to quickly regroup if they are stressed or cut back.

TIP OF THE WEEK: If you love plants, you will want to visit the botanic garden on the campus of California State University, Northridge as soon as possible. The CSUN botanic garden is a Valley treasure that more people should know about. Thanks to the efforts of Brian Houck, Brenda Kanno and some dedicated volunteers, the CSUN garden is full of plants that you will not see anywhere else but should know about.

You will find there, for instance, a captivating collection of Hebe species, plants from New Zealand that are distinguished by flowers in pink, blue or mauve that look like fat, fuzzy caterpillars. This past spring, a sumptuous butterfly garden was planted, and now is the time to appreciate its charms.

The botanic garden's annual twilight garden party on Aug. 27, promises to be a special event. For more information, call [phone], or visit the Web site at www.csun.edu/botanicgarden.