Incarvillea delavayi hardy gloxinia

Hardy gloxinia is a beautiful perennial with eye-catching, almost exotic looking flowers which decorates the garden with showy flowers in early summer and attractive leaves until autumn.

Tubular, widely trumpet-shaped flowers are deep rose-pink, yellow throated, and are borne on 10-25 cm long, erect stems in June. It belongs to the same family as trumpet creepers. One stem bears upto 10 flowers, each 5-8 cm wide. Deadheading will prolong flowering period and if you remove past flowering stems it can re-bloom in late summer if the weather is sunny and warm.

Basal, fern-like leaves are pinnate, semi-glossy, upto 30 cm long. They emerge late in the spring. Hardy gloxinia is tap-rooted and forms clumps that do not like to be disturbed so plant it in a place where it will live for many years without re-planting. It can be grown among other perennials or shrubs, or on a rockery as the fleshy roots can retain moisture.

This perennial likes full sun and moist but well drained soil that is rich in organic material., and preferably deep. Mulching is recommended, and in colder areas necessary to protect the crown with new leaves in winter. Fully hardy.

Last update 26-12-2007