About

Empress Series are perennials grown as a biennials, with hairy ovate leaves and bell-shaped flowers to 8cm across in shades of pink and purple, often with ruffled petals.

About the genus

Sinningia can be deciduous, tuberous perennials or small, deciduous or evergreen shrubs, with simple, fleshy leaves and large, bell-shaped, to tubular flowers in summer

Growing conditions

SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH1A

Plant details

Plant typeHouseplants, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants

Care notes

CultivationGrow in moist but well-drained, humus-rich, neutral to acid soil in partial shade
PruningCut back after flowering
PropagationPropagate by seed or tubers
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to leafhoppers and thrips
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free