Lapageria
rosea 'Concon' (Cone-Cone)
New in 2009 to my collection this is
another good red similar to Mission Lace. 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 place (min
-8c) 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.
'Concon' is named after the town in Chile where A Montenegro stayed
while collecting many of the plants in his collection.
'Concon' was named by Carlos Rendon. It is a large sized deep-red,
good texture, some white spotting, and prodigious bloomer. Alex Montenegro
acquired it from a parish priest who had a collection of Lapageria growing
in the church garden in Concón, a coastal town just north of Valparisio,
Chile. I have since been informed that the plant originated from El Vergel but
as to its original name I am not sure but I will start to compare flowers
and see if I can work out which the best match
My plant came from Berkeley Botanic
garden in California, and I am grateful to them for the use of the picture below
|
