Lapageria is an amazing evergreen climber from the Chilean rainforest.
Lapageria is known colloquially as Copihue. The national flower of Chile is much celebrated for its large waxy bells in shades of red, pink and white.
A little understanding will go a long way to dispelling the myth that they are a difficult plant to grow. Rarely available in Australia.
The Valdivian rainforests of Chile are a very different place to the average Australian garden. Hence, we need to create the right situation.
The essentials for Lapageria care are deep & free drainage, regular watering, especially in warmer periods, shade (at least at ground level), shelter from strong winds, protection from severe frosts (especially when young), an acid soil/media and a trellis or tree on which to climb.
When first introduced to Europe, they were thought to be part of the Liliaceae family. This was due to a small “bulb” from which all other growth originates. Whilst it is not a true bulb, it is the first thing to be formed when propagating Lapagerias. Many attempts at growing these plants fail because the “bulb” was not allowed time to properly form, or attempts to move plants did not include the “bulb”, which can be at considerable depth.
My own journey with Lapagerias is documented here
On other pages, I will seek to explain how to simply create the right micro-climate in Australian gardens. This will ensure these rare beauties can not just survive, but thrive and become a most impressive feature plant.
Lapageria ‘Toqui’.
The largest of the white Lapageria & one I am frequently using for hybridising.