A Flower I Didn't Want To See

At least not just yet. I planted this Strobilanthes gossypinus in October 2009. In researching it on the internet I found that the plant dies after flowering, so I was hoping it would be a few years before it flowered.

It is an attractive hairy-leaved plant which has grown quite well over this summer; it is gradually filling out the space I put it in. But now, I fear it will be gone by next summer.

I've seen one other of these in the local area - I will have to walk past it tomorrow and see if it is flowering too.

Edited to add:
Here's that other example - in bud and about to flower.