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| Category: Bulb/Tuber/Rhizome etc. |
| 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' - Pink Hardy 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 of this hybrid, Sinningia tubiflora reportedly can handle salt spray near the beach. This plant is the result of crossing the white flowering gray foliaged Sinningia tubiflora, which we also grow, with Sinningia sellovii, which has rough textured larger green leaves and dusky red flowers. The genus was named for Wilhelm Sinning (1792-1874) a gardener and botanist at the University of Bonn Botanical Garden. 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 information about Sinningia 'Invasion Force' displayed on this page is based on research conducted in our library and from reliable online resources. We also relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we visit, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others, and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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