About
Calceolaria crenatiflora is a tender, herbaceous perennial that is often treated as a half-hardy annual in warmer regions. It features deep green, textured leaves with prominent veins. The plant produces unique, balloon-like yellow flowers marked with orange-brown spots, which bloom in clusters from spring until autumn. This species thrives in rock gardens where winters are mild or can be cultivated in a heated greenhouse when temperatures drop.
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
- H1C
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
- Native to
- Chile
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 heated 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