Lapageria
rosea 'Quelipic hum'(k-lee-PEE-choom)
New in my collection in 2007, this plant has
a double row of red petals (9 instead of 6). Like all Lapageria it 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.
'Quelipichum' came into the El Vergel nursery from the Tumbes farm near
Talcahuano, Chile then owned by the Sweet family who had collected it, thence to
Berkeley Botanic Garden from where I got my plant I am grateful to them for the
picture
|