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Evergreen climbers
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The Chinese Hat plant is ideal as a hedgerow
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TROPIC TOUCH The plant is a native of the tropics.
The Chinese Hat plant or the Holmskioldia is a genus of 10 species of evergreen shrubs of scandent climbers from the tropics - Africa, Madagascar and the Himalayas.
They are valued for their terminal panicles or axillary racemes that are tubular or trumpet-shaped flowers with conspicuous saucer-shaped brightly coloured calyces.
Halmskioldia Sanguinea is an erect scandent shrub with ovate, slender, pointed, slightly toothed leaves that are 5-9 cmlong. Beginning in the summer, it starts producing narrow trumpet shaped flowers - 2.5 cm long calyces, 2.5 cm across in racemes and 12 cm long.
These plants grow up to a height of 10 metres. They are used as specimen plants or grown in a border. Grow in full light with shade from the sun. Top dress now and then and keep moist in winter. The soil should be moist but well drained, sandy fertile soil (loam based compost). Provide support for the thin hanging branches. In summer, water freely and use liquid fertilizer monthly. Prune shrubs after flowering. Shelter from strong winds. Propagation is done by seeds, layering or from semi-ripe cuttings.
CHITRA RADHAKRISHNAN
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