Re: Exacum, Primula, Gloxinia when winter comes?
I remember a couple more successes: You will notice that these are
generally plants that are sold as potplants in the winter, and the
seeds are usually listed in the houseplant section. These are proven
plants for winter bloom, ones that can manage with the lower light
levels we have here. (Anyone living in Denver or Phoenix probably
doesn't have to worry about things like that.)
Exacum affine is a cute little plant with scented flowers. I grew
the lavender coloured one, but there is also a white.
Gloxinias have dust-like seed, but were no trouble to grow. They
flowered from seed in about 4 months. Their leaves are velvety, and
the flowers are too. They have large upfacing bells of purple, pink,
red and white, sometimes bicoloured. I had success with these, and
yet I have never succeeded with their cousins, African violets.
Primula obconica is a tender plant from China which is used as a
year-round shade bedding plant in California, and blooms forever (it
seems) as a houseplant here. It has big clusters of large flowers in
white, pink, apricot, and lavender. The flowers change colour as
they age, but I can't remember whether they get darker or lighter.
Whichever it is, is attractive. The leaves are hairy, and some people
get a rash from them. I would touch the back of a hand to the leaf
to test whether you are susceptible. I'm not, and haven't actually
met anyone who is. Thompson and Morgan and other British seedhouses
carry it, but I haven't found it in a North American catalogue.
Diane Whitehead Victoria BC Canada
