Lapageria
rosea 'Exquisita' (x-KEY-sea-tah)
New in 2008 to my collection this pale blush
pink flowers. 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.
'Exquista' originated as an
lost/unlabeled plant from the Montenegro collection which passed to Berkeley in
2004 it is thought to be the old cultivar 'Rayan' it was given the named
Exquista which translates roughly to "Blush" by Carlos Rendon
My plant of Lapageria 'Exquista' came from Berkeley Botanic Garden
California to whom I am grateful for the picture, It is a strong grower and the
large flowers will be almost white in warm
conditions.
|