Cape primrose

 Streptocarpus mix

$Streptocarpus are perennials about 20 cm high with flowers in blue, white and rose. Streptocarpus formosus flowers almost throughout summer, from late spring to autumn. One or two flowers are formed at the tips of the long flowering stems. Each leaf usually has a few flowering stems of different ages, growing from the base. The large trumpet-shaped flowers are white with soft mauve markings that run along the edge of the petals and into the distinctive, yellow-floored throat. Thousands of very fine (!) brown seeds are released within a month or two from long fruits. When dry, the fruits have an interesting way of unfolding like a spiral and hence the name Streptocarpus which means twisted fruit in Greek (streptos = twisted and carpus= fruit). Germination is usually within a month. Plant the seedlings into small pots only once they are quite big and strong. Text: Liesl van der Walt. These seeds will be shipped from South Africa.