Lapageria
Named after Marie Rose Josephine Tascher de la Pagerie, better known as the Empress Josephine, the sole species in this genus is a twining evergreen climber from Chile. Any gardener who sees the beautiful waxy red blooms of the Chilean Bell Flower (Lapageria rosea) immediately wants a plant. Happily, it is now readily available and not too difficult to grow. It has glossy deep green leathery leaves up to 100 mm long and red bell shaped flowers. The 75 mm long flowers have a very heavy waxy texture and like so many Chilean flowers are an intense red. Pink- and white-flowered forms are also grown.
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