About
Incarvillea mairei 'Frank Ludlow' is an herbaceous perennial in the Bignoniaceae originating from high-altitude regions of central and eastern Asia. It produces its flowers in the UK from June to August. The cultivar sits within a genus of temperate, mostly mountainous plants rather than the tropical, woody members more typical of the family. Its seasonal summer bloom period gives clear midsummer interest in appropriate sites.
About the genus
Incarvillea is a genus of about 16 species of flowering plants in the family Bignoniaceae, native to central and eastern Asia, with most of the species growing at high altitudes in the Himalaya and Tibet. The most familiar species is Incarvillea delavayi, a garden plant commonly known as hardy gloxinia or Chinese trumpet flower. Unlike most other members of Bignoniaceae, which are mainly tropical woody plants, species of Incarvillea are herbaceous perennial plants from temperate regions.
Wikipedia contributors, "Incarvillea", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Incarvillea
In the garden
Incarvillea mairei 'Frank Ludlow' belongs to a genus of about 16 temperate, mainly mountainous species in the Bignoniaceae and traces its ancestry to high-altitude areas of the Himalaya and Tibet. Unlike many other family members that are woody and tropical, Incarvillea species are herbaceous perennials adapted to cool, seasonal climates. Grow this cultivar where conditions echo its mountain origins: a freely draining soil and an open situation that avoids prolonged waterlogging. Plants that come from high altitudes generally perform best with cool summers and good drainage; avoid heavy, water-retentive ground. Feed lightly in spring if the soil is poor and lift or protect crowns only if winter wet is a problem. In a UK garden it suits rockeries, gravel beds and sunny to partly shaded borders where a seasonal summer display is wanted. Use it with other alpines and perennials that prefer dry, well-drained conditions to create a textured, seasonal combination. The defining trait for planting decisions is its fixed flowering window from June to August, which helps plan mid-summer composition with other bloomers.
More in the Incarvillea genus
- Incarvillea maireiMaire's hardy gloxinia
- Incarvillea mairei 'Bees' Pink'
- Incarvillea mairei 'Nyoto Sama'
- Incarvillea olgae
