Lophospermum scandens Rosea - Climbing Gloxinia

The Lophospermum scandens 'Rosea', also known as Lophos rose, is a wonderful herbaceous vine plant with voluble stems, perfect for quickly covering supports, which it wraps around. Both light and exuberant, this plant displays from summer to autumn, until frost, dark pink flowers in long tubes, similar to foxgloves and which bloom on narrow heart-shaped leaves, strongly dentate, medium green with greyish nuances. Like clematis, its petioles grasp the supporting structure. In cool climates, the aboveground parts disappear completely, and the roots require winter protection. This plant will thrive in well-drained, moist to dry soil, in mild sun or partial shade. If grown in large containers, where it excels, this plant can be cultivated anywhere.

The Lophospermum scandens is a plant native to the central zone of southern Mexico, and belongs to the Plantaginaceae family. In nature, it often grows on volcanic soils, in oak forests, scrub vegetation, cliffs and canyon walls, on rocky outcrops including recent lava flows, but always in dry habitats.

The 'Rosea' variety is a form of the wild plant with deep pink flowers. This plant is a perennial herbaceous vine with fibrous roots, forming a tangle of long ramified stems becoming woody at the base, eventually developing a caudex, which is a swollen structure at the base of the stems, serving as a reserve organ for the plant. This plant will spread 3 m (10ft) in all directions in our climates, but much more in its native habitat where it is not cut back by the cold. The stems are adorned with heart-shaped and narrow leaves, measuring 3 to 11 cm (1 to 4in) long and 1.6 to 2 cm (1in) wide, ending in a tapered tip. They are attached to the stem by a petiole capable of twisting to wrap itself around the support. The edge of the leaves is strongly dentate, stems and leaves are slightly pubescent, of a medium green colour with a slightly greyish tint.

Flowering takes place from June-July to October-November, until frost. The solitary flowers are tubular and campanulate, resembling those of foxgloves or trumpet vines. They measure 4 to 5 cm (2in) in length and are formed by 5 fused petals in a flared dark pink tube, revealing the throat with prominent stamens and a cone-shaped stigma. The flowering is followed by the formation of an ovoid capsule filled with brown seeds.

The Lophospermum scandens is often used on terraces, planted in a large pot to cover a pergola or trellis. In the ground, this plant is superb when allowed to cascade down slopes and rockeries, or invade small trees, and it will generously spill over walls, cascading with flowers for a long time. When planting, place near to a support which it can cling to as soon as vegetation starts; this plant will then find its way to the light. It is also a good plant for hanging baskets, but its growth will be more limited.

Note: Please be aware that our young plug plants are professional products intended for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, transplant and store them under shelter (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame) at a temperature above 14°C (57.2°F) for a few weeks before installing outdoors once the risk of frost has definitively passed.