Quick Guide: summer, half-hardy, full sun, height: 60cm/24in, width: 30cm/12in
Salpliglossis sinuata is such an exotic-looking plant that it is difficult to believe it is so easy to grow - or that it belongs to the same family of plants as the potato. Sometimes called painted tongue, sometimes the velvet trumpet flower, its tall, graceful, slightly sticky stems are clothed with narrow leaves and crowned with blooms all summer long. The colour range includes red, pink, orange, gold, yellow or blue, streaked with a contrasting colour.
PROPAGATION Sow seeds in late spring directly in the flowering site and thin seedlings to 25cm/10in apart when large enough to handle.
GROWING Salpiglossis are unfussy about soil type, as long as it is reasonably fertile. An open, sunny site is best, though in exposed positions stems will need the support of split canes. Remove dead flower spikes regularly.
VARIETIES `Splash', compact plants, early flowering, many colours.
POSSIBLE PROBLEMS Aphids may infest the stems. Foot or root rot causes plants to collapse.
