Calceolaria 'Camden Hero'

RHS Plant Profile
slipper flower 'Camden Hero'
Award of Garden Merit
Bedding Conservatory Greenhouse Alpine Rockery

A tender, deciduous, herbaceous perennial, grown as a half-hardy annual in milder climates, with dark green wrinkled and veined foliage, and unusual, inflated bright red-brown to orange flowers. These appear in clusters above the foliage from spring through to the autumn. Generally best suited to rock gardens in milder climates or in a unheated greenhouse

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
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
Unresolved

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