Lapageria rosea 'Penheale'

Exacting in its requirements, needs cool moist acid soil in shade, absolutely hates direct sun for any length of time. The flowers in this cultivar are a deep clear red, less flared than is typical, they show up well against the dark leathery evergreen leaves which are large and waxy. In flower from August 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 as I do.

The species L. rosea comes from Chile where its both endangered and the national flower. It was introduced around 1847. The seedling which became Lapageria 'Penheale' was grown by Rennie Moffat of Penheale in Cornwall.