Iochroma 'Royal Blue' (Iochroma cyanea)

Iochroma 'Royal Blue'
Iochroma cyanea

I love this one! I got some seed this year, waiting for it to grow, not Royal Blue but they're not a plant we get here.

Is it one you grow yourself?

I took this one at the SF Zoo, it's a darker variety than the one I grow in my garden, shown below.

Pretty! It looks a violet/pink. How long do they flower for?

You know, I can't remember when it started, but it literally has been in bloom non-stop for months now! I think I read that they bloom spring through fall.

Thanks, it really is a worthwhile plant then! I don't think it's hardy here but that doesn't stop me trying!

I got a Sollya heterophylla through the winter this year, to -9C in a cold greenhouse, and have planted it next to my south wall. It wasn't at all damaged, but some plants just don't like the length of cold and this was my third try with it. One can hope!

I have this pending image of the full size of this plant as grown in San Franciso, they get huge. I know frost here, which we do get sometimes will burn it back but in SF and all the cities surrounding the bay, they get a warmer micro climate and seem to do very well.
I will most likely have to prune mine to keep it in check in my small garden.
In a few years, I too will be moving to a Zone 8 so will have to start all over again figuring out what will grow as I love the tropicals so much!

It's like a tree, well if it did grow here perhaps the weather would keep it in check!

My daughter admonished me for not cutting mine back "hard" in the early spring. Mine is tree like at this point as well. They do bloom non stop during all of the warm season and are so nice. I have blue and red, the red is not as dramatic looking and doesn't seem to produce as many flowers.

I thought it nice to be able to stand under them and look up at the blooms!!

Hello Calif_sue, would you happen to have some iochroma seeds? I would like to trade for another iochroma specie or something or your choice.

I haven't collected seeds but I'll check and see if there are any yet, have never checked.

Good, I am wishing hard that it will work since I cannot find any of the Iochromas here in Canada, I was lucky enough to win an auction for Acnitus australis seeds though.
http://www.strangewonderfulthings.com/Acnistus_Frontpage.jpg