A hardy perennial from western China grown for its fern-like foliage and trumpet-shaped spring flowers, reaching 40 to 60 cm tall. The key to growing it is well-drained soil, since its tuberous roots rot in wet, cold conditions, and protection from slugs.
Family
Bignoniaceae (Trumpet-vine family)
Grows as
Fern, Perennial
Light
Full sun, Part shade
Water
Water regularly during growth and keep soil moist but never soggy; reduce water in dormancy.
Soil
Fertile, well-drained soil or gritty loam; good drainage is essential.
Temperature
Hardy to about -20 °C; grows well in cool temperate summers, USDA zones 5b to 7.
How easy
Easy
Safety
Not toxic to cats or dogs (ASPCA).
Native range
China (W. Sichuan, NW. Yunnan)
Climate
temperate
About
Incarvillea delavayi, the so‑called hardy gloxinia or flowering fern, is a species of flowering plant in the family Bignoniaceae, native to western Sichuan and northwest Yunnan provinces of China. The true Gloxinia are members of the Gesneriaceae, while true ferns are flowerless plants which reproduce through spores.
A slug‑prone perennial with fern‑like leaves, it is hardy in USDA zones 5b through 7, and is recommended for borders and rock gardens in part shade to full sun. The original species and a number of cultivars are commercially available, including 'Bees Pink' and 'Snowtop'.
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Incarvillea delavayi by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.