Himalayan Lantern

An elegant plant with arching branches adorned with pendant red bells, like rows of lanterns. The flowers are lustrous red with a deeper, lined pattern. The blooms open freely. The flowers of the Himalayan Lantern Plant are followed by small, decorative mauve berries (inedible).

The Himalayan Lantern plant has arching, brown bristly branches. The branches have small leaves running all along. The leaves are mid to dark green with a red blush. The branches grow 90-150cm. The branches open from an exposed caudex that is around 15cm across.

The Himalayan Lantern Plant (Agapetes serpens x rugosum) is a rare and special plant. It hails from the Himalayas, where it grows on mossy embankments and as an epiphyte on tall trees. Here in Australia it can be grown in cool climates in pots, hanging baskets, rock gardens, beds or even trained on a fence.

Grow in a neutral to acid soil, moist, well drained soil. As a relative of the Rhododendron it likes similar conditions. Morning sun is best or part shade.

The botanical name, Agapetes is from the Greek for Beloved; rugosum for the red flowers; and serpens for the snake like branches and the pattern on the flowers.

Supplied as: Pots