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| Category: Bulb |
| Family: Gesneriaceae (Gesnerias) |
| Origin: South America |
| Flower Color: White |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Summer |
| Fragrant Flowers: Yes |
| Parentage: (S. tubiflora x S. sellovii) |
| Height: 1-2 feet |
| Width: Spreading |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Seaside: Yes |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 0-10° F |
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Sinningia 'Invasion Force' - Hardy Pink Gloxinia - This tuberous perennial hybrid of two South American species forms a spreading mound of soft rounded gray-green leaves. These leaves rise up from potato like tubers to about 1 foot tall and in late spring to early summer are produced the 1 to 2 foot tall unbranched slightly arching inflorescences topped by pendulous tubular pink flowers with flared petal tips. These flowers are lightly fragrant and attractive to hummingbirds. Plant in full sun (where it blooms best) to light shade in just about any soil or in a pot where its spreading nature can be controlled and irrigate regularly to sparingly and is best if on the dry side in winter when semi-deciduous. It is drought tolerant even when in active growth in a container. This plant is tolerant to cold temperatures possibly as low as 5° F - the tubers can be exposed to be shown off in a pot but then it is more sensitive to damage from cold temperatures. One parent, Sinningia tubiflora reportedly can handle salt spray near the beach. This plant is the result of crossing the white flowering gray foliaged Sinningia tubiflora with Sinningia sellovii, which has rough textured larger green leaves and dusky red flowers. We received this plant from John Ingram of Floral Architecture who tells us that this hybrid was grown from seed from the Gesneriad society. He calls it 'Invasion Force' because of its vigor, noting that it filled a 4 foot by 4 foot planter box within 2 years. The genus was named for Wilhelm Sinning (1792-1874) a gardener and botanist at the University of Bonn Botanical Garden.
This description is based on research and observations of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in our nursery garden and in other gardens that we visit. We also incorporate comments received and appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have any additional information about this plant, particularly if they disagree with what we have written or if they have additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Sinningia 'Invasion Force'.
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