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An Argentinian species that seems to be hardy. The first time I saw it in the garden at Rosemoor it seemed impossibly
fragile and I was sure it was the sort of planting that would be gone by winter. It is still
there. Like so many things, once you start to see it, you see it everywhere (someone must have grown a great many from seed). I picked one up at a plant sale, and I wish I had got two at the time. It has done well in a pot in the greenhouse and I managed to root a couple of cuttings that have struggled to grow away. It hasn't set any seed. I have a little corner where it can climb gently into a Rhododendron when I have enough courage to put it out there. Paul Christian says: "Five-fingered leaves spring from a smallish, fat rhizome. The flowers are produced from May onwards and are flaring trumpets of green and cinnabar-red with a slightly upturned spur. At the mouth the bloom flares open to present a five pointed star in dark jade-green, spotted and lined with purple and with two bright red “flags” showing at the top of the flower. By repute this is tender but it has survived outside in the garden here over several years now, growing through a Pieris and with no special treatment. It is also readily grown in a pot or greenhouse border under cool or cold glass where it’s curious corky-nut tubers will make slow increase. Fertile, loam-based soil in full light with support for the scrambling growth. Provide a dry rest from the summer until autumn, but don’t bake it. When grown outside in a favourable spot it will become a winter dormant plant!" |
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| 6th May 2012 | ||
