Calceolaria (Fruticohybrida Group) 'Kentish Hero'

RHS Plant Profile

slipper flower 'Kentish Hero'

RHS

Synonyms

Calceolaria integrifolia 'Kentish Hero'
Calceolaria 'Kentish Hero'

Bedding Conservatory Greenhouse Alpine Rockery

Buy this from Plant Nurseries
11 Suppliers

A deciduous, shrubby perennial with dark green foliage and unusual, inflated flowers which emerge red then turn orange. These appear in clusters above the foliage in spring through to the autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1–2 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H2

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Calceolariaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Calceolaria can be annuals, biennials, perennials or shrubs, with opposite leaves or basal rosettes, and solitary or clustered, slipper-like yellow, red or purple flowers
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Outdoors, grow in light, moderately fertile, acidic soil in sun or partial shade. Flowering is best in cool, moist conditions. Water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every 2 weeks. To overwinter plants, lift them before the first frosts and put them in pots in a frost-free greenhouse

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown under glass in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Hanging Basket
Houseplants
Patio and container plants
Rock garden
Bedding
Conservatory and greenhouse
Flower borders and beds
Garden edging

Pruning

Deadhead to prolong flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds