Barleria ovata  is an erect shrublet with funnel-shaped flowers that may be magenta, reddish to purple or shades of blue or white in colour. The plant gives a hairy impression from leaf, stem and calyx, but the corolla is hairless. The leaves are opposite, elliptic, ovate or sometimes obovate. It will resprout from the woody rootstock in spring.

This lovely small perennial deserves a spot in any grassland garden. Growth is not aggressive and that makes it an ideal companion plant. Plant it, preferably, amongst rocks or amongst small grass species. It requires a well-drained soil.