Agapetes serpens - Hummingbird Candy!
(Ericaceae)
Quite rare in cultivation, this lovely and desirable shrub or scrambler has arching stems of shiny foliage, and offers waxy, tubular, pendant, vermilion flowers with darker veining; the long-lasting spring flowers completely cover the bases of the stems, and mature plants are a magnificent sight indeed. To 6-10 feet.
Agapetes do not tolerate freezing very well, so it's best grown outdoors only in mild climates. In cold climates, grow it indoors during the cold months; it also makes a wonderful addition to the cool greenhouse or sun room, and is an excellent candidate for growing in a hanging basket.
Prefers a loamy, humus-rich but well-drained soil (we grow ours' in orchid mix), in filtered sun. When the plants are growing, they enjoy lots of water, but only moderate water the rest of the year. as well as regular applications of an acid plant fertilizer. One may prune the over-long stems to keep the plants in bounds. Hardy zones 10 and above (9 with some protection).
We ship vigorous and very well established, blooming-size, cutting-grown plants in 3 1/4" pots. (From late winter to mid-spring, our small plants will generally be in bud or bloom; however, we can not guarantee it.)
(Photo courtesy: Geoff Wong)
Quite rare in cultivation, this lovely and desirable shrub or scrambler has arching stems of shiny foliage, and offers waxy, tubular, pendant, vermilion flowers with darker veining; the long-lasting spring flowers completely cover the bases of the stems, and mature plants are a magnificent sight indeed. To 6-10 feet.
Agapetes do not tolerate freezing very well, so it's best grown outdoors only in mild climates. In cold climates, grow it indoors during the cold months; it also makes a wonderful addition to the cool greenhouse or sun room, and is an excellent candidate for growing in a hanging basket.
Prefers a loamy, humus-rich but well-drained soil (we grow ours' in orchid mix), in filtered sun. When the plants are growing, they enjoy lots of water, but only moderate water the rest of the year. as well as regular applications of an acid plant fertilizer. One may prune the over-long stems to keep the plants in bounds. Hardy zones 10 and above (9 with some protection).
We ship vigorous and very well established, blooming-size, cutting-grown plants in 3 1/4" pots. (From late winter to mid-spring, our small plants will generally be in bud or bloom; however, we can not guarantee it.)
(Photo courtesy: Geoff Wong)
Hortus Botanicus 20103 Hanson Rd., Fort Bragg, CA 95437
