Lapageria rosea 'Raimilla' (rah-ME-yaw)

New in my collection in 2008, this plant has Ivory white flowers with occasional red flecks. 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 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.

'In 1929 horticulturist Elbert Reed purchased this plant and other forms from the Larenas family living in Cobquecura , Chile and brought it back to El Vergel, where it was listed as #8. Larenas family members had started collecting Lapageria from the wild well before 1880. My plant came from Berkeley botanic garden and I am grateful to them for the top picture.