|
Streptosolen jamesonii (Marmalade Bush) - An evergreen rambling, shrub that without support will grow 4-6 feet tall and wide; with support it can reach 15 feet. It has oval-shaped 1-inch-long leaves with a slightly wrinkled appearance that densely clothe the sprawling branches and a bountiful display of orange, bell-shaped flowers bloom at the terminal ends of the branches from spring to fall. The flowers emerge a yellow orange and age to deep orange red, which gives the plant the multicolored look that reminds one of marmalade.
Best in full coastal sun or part shade with regular watering. Only evergreen to around 30° F so is best in frost free gardens or where it can be protected from frost. Plants that freeze back often will resprout and grow back to full size within a season.
Streptosolen jamesonii is a monotypic species in the Nightshade family, Solanaceae, that is native to open woodlands of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The name is from the Greek words 'streptos' meaning "twisted" and 'solon' meaning a "tube" in reference to the shape of the floral tube. The specific epithet honors a Dr. Jameson. We have grown this showy plant continuously since 1994 and it has long been a favorite greenhouse plant, but can also be planted outdoors in most of coastal California south of San Francisco.
The information displayed on this page about Streptosolen jamesonii is based on the research we have conducted about it in our nursery library as well as from information provided by reliable online resources. We also include our own observations made about this plant as it grows in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant have performed in the containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we have received from others and welcome hearing from anyone with information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information that will aid others to better grow it.
|
