• Image of Sinningia sellovii|Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC|JLBG

    Photo by JLBG taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC

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Sinningia sellovii

Argentine Hardy Orange Gloxinia

This plant is not currently for sale. This is an archive page preserved for informational use.

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Item #: 4727

Zones: 7b to 10b, at least

Dormancy: Winter

Height: 54" tall

Culture: Sun to Light Shade

Origin: Argentina, Brazil

Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


Yes, it's another of the amazing hardy gloxinias from South America. Sinningia sellovii is composed of thick, light green, sandpaper-like leaves on an arching clump that can reach 54" in height. Atop the plant from May through October are 4.5' arching spikes, each bearing over 100 pendent scarlet-orange bells...a hummingbird dream. Although the base of Sinningia selovii is only 2' wide after 10 years, the arching stems spread to 6' wide, so allow plenty of room. We grow our plants of Sinningia sellovii in a full sun-baked rock garden, where they thrive with good drainage...very easy.

The Calanthe are terrestrial orchids, many of which are winter hardy in zone 7. They are showy in bloom and the foliage while not show-stopping is quite handsome most of the year. Rosettes of broad green foliage are a bit like a small Hosta though the leaves of Calanthe are pleasantly pleated. They want the same cultural conditions that would suit a Hosta. Calanthes can be propagated by division. Like other orchids only the current years pseudobulb produces foliage. The dormant back-bulbs remain forever dormant unless they are separated. So when dividing Calanthes, separate each back-bulb and replant. They will put up new growth from the now liberated dormant buds.

DR