Lapageria rosea 'Wisley Spotted'

Exacting in its requirements, Lapageria need cool moist acid soil in shade, absolutely hates direct sun for any length of time. The flowers in this cultivar are a white with violet picotee markings, 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. L.'Wisley Spotted' is one of two plant grown at the RHS gardens, the origins of which are uncertain but at some time material was given to Renee Moffat and he succeeded in propagating them at Penheale in Cornwall. It may turn out that these are Chilean cultivars but at this time I do not know.