SERIES 35 | Episode 04
This genus of plants in the nighade Solanaceae family provide tubular flowers of interesting colour.
COMMON NAME/S | Iochroma |
|---|---|
BOTANICAL NAME | Iochroma cyaneum, Iochroma gesnerioides, Eriolarynx australis syn. Iochroma australe |
ORIGIN | Central and South America. There are 34 species in the genus, found mostly in forests. |
HABIT | Medium-sized shrubs 2-3m tall and 1-3m wide. Prune after flowering. |
FEATURES | Masses of tubular flowers in shades of purple, red and mauve-blue from spring to late summer. |
USES | Evergreen shrubs useful for screening. Can be cut back hard, even to ground level, or trained as standards. |
BEST CLIMATE/POSITION | Cool to warm-temperate. They prefer full sun or semi shade and well-drained soil, but don’t like to dry out and respond well to fertiliser to encourage blooming. |
PREFERRED SOIL | Tolerant of most soil types but need to be kept moist |
PROPAGATION | Cuttings or seeds. |
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS | Frost tender and deciduous in cool climates. Related to Brugmansia, parts of the plant are poisonous. |
Gardening Australia suggests you check with your local authorities or go to Weeds in Australia to assess the weed potential of any plants for your particular area.