Lapageria is an evergreen climbing plant which is rare and very exotic in appearance. Their common name is the Chilean Bellflower. They are native to Chile, South America, where they are the much loved National Flower.
The plant has many wiry stems growing from below the ground. The leaves are dark green and leathery to touch, but appear dainty and delicate. Lapageria is not a cover plant, for example for covering a fence (unless you have very good conditions). It is a specimen climbing plant about the size of a clematis or a large hoya .
Lapageria flowers are quite unique, and very beautiful. The flowers are shaped like a bell, and are about 9cm or 3.5in long. Flower colours range from white, through pink to red, with some varieties having more than one colour. The tepals are thick and waxy, like an orchid petal. All flowers grow from the stems to point straight down (to protect the flower parts from rain), which gives a flowering plant a truly elegant appearance. Flowers open slowly and stay on the plant for several weeks, longer in Winter.
Lapageria is native to cool rainforests. They must have shade and protection from drying winds. They do best in situations which are relatively humid, where the air doesn't get too dry in hot weather. As a rule of thumb, if you can grow ferns in a certain spot, then you should be able to grow Lapageria.
In Australia, the best districts are the cooler areas of the southern states. Most mountain districts are well suited to growing Lapageria. Though Lapageria is a true cool climate plant, their main requirement is not for cool temperatures, but for high atmospheric humidity. The air needs to be humid even when the temperature is high.
Lapageria is closely related to liliums, and it's soil requirements are very similar. They need free draining soil, and they like acid soil. They love organic material dug into the soil before planting.
Lapageria grows well in pots and tubs. Make absolutely sure to use a good quality, very open potting mix suitable for azaleas and rhododendrons. Try not to overpot, but instead increase pot size gradually as the plant grows.
Feed in Spring before the flush of new growth. Care should be taken not to use too much nitrogen, as this will result in more leaf growth and fewer flowers. Lapageria loves organic liquid fertilisers, such as fish emulsion or seaweed extracts. Use this over the warmer months in addition to the main Spring feeding.
In pots, use a slow release pelleted fertiliser. We recommend using a formula which includes trace elements.
For plants in the ground, use any quality fertiliser, but only at the recommended rate. Once again, trace elements are important, but less so than for pot culture.
Most Lapagerias which are sold are plants raised from seed and they have lovely dusky pink/red flowers. The Candybell range of named Lapageria varieties is quite distinct. As named plants they are propagated from mother stock which was originally imported from Chile. These are the highest quality varieties known, and were originally found growing wild in the temperate rainforest. They were propagated in Chile by a nursery called "El Vergel".