Bomarea edulis

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salsilla

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Synonyms

Bomarea hirta
Bomarea hirtella

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A deciduous climber with lance-shaped, mid- to pale green leaves 6-12cm long. Clusters of bell-shaped flowers are produced from early summer to autumn. These are pink or pale red on the outside; green and yellow flecked with dark red on the inside

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
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)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Alstroemeriaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Climbing
Genus
Bomarea are tuberous, deciduous twining perennials with simple, lance-shaped leaves and terminal umbels or racemes of tubular or narrowly bell-shaped flowers
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Mexico to Trop. Am.

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in well-drained compost in good light but with shade from the hottest sun. Will need support and can stand outside in summer in a sunny position

Propagation

Propagate by seed, or by division in late winter or early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Mediterranean climate plants

Pruning

Cut back dead growth and flowered stems to ground level in winter

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, glasshouse whitefly and aphids

Diseases

Usually disease free