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Agapetes are evergreen shrubs related to blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) but with larger and showier flowers. This is a white‑flowered species with blue‑green new foliage on long and arching, densely hairy stems. The pendulous tubular flowers have green tips and are followed by red berries. We have had this outside for a few years, so it appears to be relatively hardy for this genus. This species is very similar in appearance to A. cauliflora but larger‑growing and with much larger leaves.
Agapetes are evergreen shrubs related to blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) but with larger and showier flowers. This is an epiphytic evergreen shrub with small, glossy and deep green pointed leaves arranged along long arching stems. Beautiful and interesting tubular bright red flowers lined with darker red chevrons hang in clusters along the pendulous stems. Epiphytic in the wild and best in a hanging basket or on an old stump. Somewhat drought tolerant once established and it is best to strongly pinch it back for the first couple of years. Native to the eastern Himalaya where it grows from the branches of large rhododendrons and other trees. A very fine and distinct ornamental.
Agapetes are evergreen shrubs related to blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) but with larger and showier flowers. This is an epiphytic evergreen shrub with small, glossy and deep green pointed leaves arranged along long arching stems. Beautiful and interesting tubular bright red flowers lined with darker red chevrons hang in clusters along the pendulous stems. Epiphytic in the wild and best in a hanging basket or on an old stump. Somewhat drought tolerant once established and it is best to strongly pinch it back for the first couple of years. Native to the eastern Himalaya where it grows from the branches of large rhododendrons and other trees. A very fine and distinct ornamental. Similar to the type but this selection reportedly with flared lobes on the corolla tube – note: we have not yet flowered this selection.
Agapetes are evergreen shrubs related to blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) but with larger and showier flowers. This is an epiphytic evergreen shrub native to the temperate rainforests of the eastern Himalaya. This species features much larger leaves and flowers than any other species we have seen or grown here at the RSBG. The large ovate leaves with a prominent midrib are up to six inches long on long arching stems from a large basal lignotuber (a woody, water storage organ). In late summer the pendulous tubular flowers appear in large hanging clusters of up to 20 flowers per cluster. These hang below the leaves and are deep pink with darker pink chevrons and deep green lobe tips on the ends of the corolla tubes. Each flower is around 4 cm in length! Easily the most stunning of any Agapetes we have grown or offered.
A member of the Gesneriaceae (a relative of the African Violet). This is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with a basal rosette of deeply rugose, toothed and felted leaves from which arises a very short stem with one or two very large, inflated “snapdragon-like” flowers of cream flushed pink with masses of darker spots within. A striking plant for a container, terrarium or shaded rockery (in a mild climate). I am pretty sure this is the first introduction of this species into cultivation. It was found growing with beech, rhododendrons, magnolias, etc. so should have some hardiness.
A member of the Gesneriaceae (African Violet family) native to south-central China where it grows on mossy cliffs and rock faces. This is an evergreen herbaceous perennial with a basal rosette of deeply rugose, toothed and felted leaves from which arises a very short stem with several very large, inflated “snapdragon-like” flowers of deep blue-purple. The flowers are quite large for the size of the plant, a real stunner! A striking plant for a container, terrarium or shaded rockery. Should be quite hardy, as it has been in the garden here at the RSBG (unprotected) for many years now.
A famous and very beautiful camellia with large and clear pink, “formal double” flowers (no mass of stamens in the middle and the petals are very geometrically arranged) in mid‑spring. This is a williamsii hybrid and so the flowers drop off once they have finished. One of our favorites in the garden and rarely offered for sale.
The Cinnamon Clethra is the southern Appalachian relative of the commonly cultivated Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia). This rarely grown deciduous shrub has similar panicles of fragrant white flowers in summer. Yellow fall foliage color. It also features glossy, smooth and peeling mahogany bark. Native to cliffs and mountainsides. Larger-growing than C. alnifolia. These are grown from seed collected wild in Kentucky.
