Lapageria
rosea 'Collinge' (co-YIN-gay)
New in 2007 to my collection this has white
flowers with red edges. Like all Lapageria needs cool moist
acid soil in shade, absolutely hates direct sun for any length of time, although
the top of the plant will be happy if the lower part is shaded. The flowers are waxy bells
and it is in flower from
July through to March. Due to its flowering period and the fact
that new growth can be frost damaged it needs a sheltered wall (min
-4c) or grow it down the shady end of the conservatory.
The species comes from Chile; the majority of wild plants have cherry
red flowers with occasional pale pinks and whites. Introduced
around 1847.
The cultivar Lapageria 'Collinge' is also known as Dr Bullock or Mejilla
Roja (Red cheeks) in the UK it has been sold as 'Wisley Picotee'
Elbert Reed had this plant in the collection at El Vergel, Chile. My plant came
to me from Berkeley botanic garden California as Collinge and another from Penheale in
Cornwall as Wisley Picotee. They appear to be one and the same, there is no
record of when or how RHS Wisley came to have this plant, if you know the answer
I would love to hear from you!
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