About

Cautleya cathcartii 'Tenzing's Gold' is a deciduous perennial that forms dense clumps. It features elongated green leaves with distinctive purple-red undersides. The stems reach up to 55 cm (21.5 in) tall and produce clusters of yellow-orange blooms, which appear from red-tinged bracts during the mid-summer to autumn period.

About the genus

Cautleya consists of rhizomatous perennials characterized by upright stems that support lanceolate or oblong leaves arranged in two rows. The plants produce funnel-shaped yellow blooms, which feature prominent bracts, organized in slender racemes.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand, Chalk
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H4

Plant details

Plant type
Herbaceous Perennial
Habit
Clump forming
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
0.1-0.5 metres
Spread
1-1.5 metres
Time to full height
2-5 years
Suggested uses
City and courtyard gardens, Sub-tropical

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in partial-shade, or with protection from midday sun, in a sheltered position on soil rich in organic matter. Protect in cold/frost-prone areas with a deep mulch of organic matter in winter.
Pruning
No pruning required. Remove withered foliage in autumn/winter.
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown underglass/indoors at 15-20°C (18-64°F) in early spring. Propagate by division in late spring just after growth has emerged.
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to slugs and snails
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free