Lapageria rosea 'Montenegro's Red'

New in my collection in 2008, the large vibrant red flowers are freely produced. 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.

The cultivar Lapageria 'Montenegro's Red'  came from The Montenegro collection which passed to UC Botanic gardens Berkeley in 2004, Its origins are not known Alejandro Montenegro having collected plants from  El Vergel and many other collectors and sellers in Chile as well as the inn he stayed at in Concon. My plant came from UC Botanic Garden in Berkeley California, It is  strong growing and free flowering.