About
Calceolaria 'Camden Hero' is a tender, herbaceous perennial that is often cultivated as a half-hardy annual in regions with milder winters. It features dark green, textured leaves with prominent veins. The plant produces distinctive, inflated flowers that range from bright red-brown to orange, blooming in clusters above the foliage from spring until autumn. This species thrives in rock gardens in warmer climates or can be grown in an unheated greenhouse for optimal results.
About the genus
Calceolaria species may be classified as annuals, biennials, perennials, or shrubs. They typically feature either opposite leaves or basal rosettes. The flowers, which can appear alone or in clusters, resemble slippers and come in shades of yellow, red, or purple.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H2
Plant details
- Plant type
- Bedding, Conservatory Greenhouse, Alpine Rockery
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Hanging basket, Houseplants, Patio and container plants, Rock garden
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Outdoors, grow in light, moderately fertile, acidic soil in sun or partial shade. Flowering is best in cool, moist conditions. Water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every 2 weeks. To overwinter plants, lift them before the first frosts and put them in pots in a frost-free greenhouse
- Pruning
- Deadhead to prolong flowering
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown under glass in early spring
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to slugs, snails and aphids
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to grey moulds