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Roscoea cautleyoides 'Purple King' is a splendid large flowered form of the species, blooming in June. It resembles 'Purple Giant', but has mauve/purple staminodes beneath the dorsal petal. The colour is slightly richer than 'Purple Giant' and the labellum more frilled. The pale marks in the throat of the flower at the base of the labellum are more yellow in this form and white in 'Purple Giant', but the difference is not as great as the photos seem to show. I got it from Paul Christian's Rare Bulbs nursery. His catalogue description says: "Although classically, cautleyoides is thought of as yellow the original description states that it can be purple also and the current Flora of China follows this. So this is a normal, natural, but rather rare, purple form of the wonderfully elegant cautleyoides. Excellent in the garden and very choice having the superb poise of the yellow form melded with a nice deep purple flower colour." Farmyard Nursery say: "This captivating tuberous perennial is a unique choice for the semi-shaded border, featuring lily-like leaves in a rich, dark green hue. The plant blooms with large, exotic deep purple flowers throughout the summer months, adding an element of intrigue to garden landscapes. With a height and spread ranging from 30-45cm, it offers versatility and aesthetic appeal. Ideal for those seeking a departure from the ordinary, this perennial brings a touch of distinctiveness to outdoor spaces. Its richly coloured blooms and adaptability to semi-shaded conditions make it an enticing option for gardeners looking to introduce something different to their landscape." It is listed by Jill Cowley as a cultivar of R. tumjensis although it doesn't seem to have the long corolla tube of that species. |
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| 11th June 2005 | ||
