Titanotrichum oldhamii

Don't bother to look Titanotrichum oldhamii up, 'cause you won't find it...except in the tropical books where it's listed as a Zone 9 plant. Our friend Ozzie Johnson originally shared this remarkable hardy Chinese gesneriad (African violet cousin) in 2002. It was great to finally see it growing wild in Taiwan in 2008, where it clung to nearly vertical rock cliffs. The fuzzy basal leaves make a nice small clump to 12" wide which, in September and October, is topped with 1' spikes of dramatic, golden yellow bells with vivid, cinnamon-red centers. One look at a flowering Titanotrichum oldhamii will bring you to your knees faster than a passing pope...we promise! Titanotrichum oldhamii has survived 0 degrees F in our garden with good winter drainage.