HARDY GLOXINIA Incarvillea delavayi

This is probably the plant in our yard, that most looks like it can't be overwintered here ~ but it can! Gorgeous pink-red trumpet-shaped flowers with orange and yellow throats, are held high on strong stems, above thick, tropical-looking ferny leaves! Plants form tidy clumps, and are never invasive. In zones 5-7, Hardy Gloxinia like to be planted in a fully sunny location. In zones 8-10, they like to have morning and/or evening sun, but be sheltered from the mid-day sun.

Type: Hardy perennial

Height: 16" leaves, 24" flowers

Location: Sun, or part sun in hot climates (see notes above).

Hardiness zones: 5-10

Seeds per pack: 10

Germination: These seeds have fairly reliable germination. As with many perennials, these seeds benefit from a period of moist cold to help them break dormancy. This is done by giving them a cold 'winter' period (artificial or natural), and then a warming to simulate 'spring', and time to grow! Here's how this can be done:

Obtain a planting container that has holes in the bottom for excess water to drain. Place the seeds just under the surface of your growing medium, and water. Place your container in a cool area (but not freezing) for 4-5 weeks. Once the cool period is completed, place the container at room temperature for them to germinate. Be sure to keep the soil moist during this entire germination period. Seedlings will sprout a few weeks, or occasionally several months, after the warming period.