Petrocosmea minor Hemsl.

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smaller petrocosmea

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smaller petrocosmea RHS
Alpine Rockery Conservatory Greenhouse

A tender, evergreen perennial with rounded, fleshy leaves overlapping to produce a flat rosette up to 15cm across. Some forms have smooth, shiny foliage, others have deep veins and appear quilted. Purple, white-throated, bell-shaped flowers are produced in small clusters on upright stems in summer

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–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
Gesneriaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Matforming
Genus
Petrocosmea are evergreen perennials producing low rosettes of fleshy, often felted, lance-shaped or rounded leaves. Five-lobed, tubular to bell-shaped flowers are produced in small clusters in spring
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
SE Yunnan

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a shallow pot of very well-drained compost in a cool greenhouse or alpine house, in semi-shade, with a humid atmosphere

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by leaf cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and glasshouse whitefly

Diseases

Generally disease-free