Plant during the recommended period shown in the variety’s specifications. If you cannot plant straight away, store them somewhere cool, dry and well ventilated.
Out of season
Incarvillea delavayi
hardy gloxinia
For a plant that isn't a gloxinia, Incarvillea delavayi has certainly made the name its own. You'll find it called hardy gloxinia or garden gloxinia, but its real talent lies in the flowers, not the family tree. In early to midsummer, Incarvillea delavayi sends up upright stems topped with clusters of generous, trumpet-shaped blooms in vivid rose-pink, each with a glowing golden-yellow throat. The effect is wonderfully fresh, especially against the fern-like, deeply divided green leaves gathered neatly at the base. Reaching around 50–60cm, this unusual perennial has enough presence to catch the eye without crowding its neighbours. Plant Incarvillea delavayi where you can appreciate those intricate flowers up close.
Despite its exotic appearance, Incarvillea delavayi can settle happily into UK gardens when given the right conditions. Choose a sheltered position with fertile, well-drained soil, plenty of light and a little shade during the hottest part of summer. Raised beds, rock gardens and containers are particularly good places for it, especially where winter wet might otherwise be a problem. Its fleshy roots dislike sitting in soggy soil, so good drainage is worth getting right from the start. The flowers also make charming additions to small summer arrangements. Curiously, Incarvillea delavayi is sometimes said to discourage moles, though this is garden folklore rather than a proven benefit. Best grown for its beauty, then, and what a pleasure that is.
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
Check whether your varieties prefer sun or shade, then choose a sheltered spot with well-drained soil. Most spring bulbs also grow well in containers.
Remove weeds and loosen compacted soil. Improve heavy ground with organic matter and horticultural grit. For containers, use peat-free multipurpose compost and ensure good drainage.
Plant at the depth recommended for each variety, as their requirements differ. Position shoots or pointed ends upwards. If the correct direction is unclear, plant them on their sides.
Follow the recommended spacing for each variety. Planting in clusters or informal drifts creates a natural display, but avoid placing them directly against one another.
Water after planting if the soil is dry. Keep containers lightly moist but never waterlogged. After flowering, allow foliage to yellow naturally before removing it.
- Botanical name
- Incarvillea delavayi
- Flower colour
- Pink
- Bulb size
- 1
- Established height
- 30-50cm
- Established spread
- 30-50cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
-
Upright
Clump-forming - Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- No
- Pollinator friendly
- No
- Position
- Sheltered
- Rabbit resistant
- No
- Scented
- No
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
-
Free draining
Damp - Soil type
-
Loam
Sandy
Clay
Loam-based compost
Multipurpose compost - Suitable for
-
Pots
Large containers
Borders
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens - Sunlight
-
Full sun
Partial shade - Toxicity
- No report
- Years to establish
- 1st year
Perfect for pots
Pollinator-friendly
Thrives in full sun
Perennial
Fully hardy
Packed peat-free
Low maintenance
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