Sandersonia aurantiaca

RHS Plant Profile
Chinese lantern lily

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Chinese lantern lily John Fielding
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Other common names

Christmas bells

Climber Wall Shrub Herbaceous Perennial

A tender perennial climber grown from tubers to a height of 75cm. Green stems carry sparse lance-shaped green leaves 10cm long - some with tendrils at the ends. Pendulous bright orange bell shaped flowers are borne in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand, Chalk

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
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
Colchicaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright, Climbing
Genus
Sandersonia is a tuberous-rooted, deciduous perennial with scrambling stems bearing leaves often tipped with hook-like tendrils, and with solitary urn-shaped flowers in the upper leaf axils
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant tubers in the greenhouse, 7-10cm deep in a peat-free, loam-based compost with grit added. Grow on with sun, but with midday shade. Water well in growth and keep dry when dormant. Outside where there are no frosts, grow in well-drained soil in full sun. Avoid winter wet.

Propagation

Propagate by seed at a temperature of 18-24°C as soon as ripe, or by division in autumn or winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free