I have done OK growing Calceolaria from seed but have then killed them off after flowering. Must try harder as my teachers used to say.

This Calceolaria is growing in a plunge bed of gravel inside a large  alpine house. The variety is called Walter Shrimpton and as you can see it is very floriferous given the right conditions.

Our local nursery has just started to sell plants of Calceolaria Sunset Red and Sunset Orange and I have bought a plant to try. It is not yet in flower so I hope it lives upto the Orange tag. Previously I have tried growing these plants from seed but I have been careless with the very fine seed and had only the success I deserve i.e. nil!.

Calceolaria Facts and Cultivation

• Calceolaria originate from South America and are generally bushy perennial plant that grows 12″ tall.
• The distinguishing and most attractive feature is the slipper like flowers blooming on short stems.
• The leaves are soft, fleshy and often grey-green.
• The plants like a moist but very well drained soil. In pots I have been recommended to use 25% perlite for improved drainage.
• Plant 12″ apart in sun or partial shade. Avoid strong wind.
• Water well until new plants are established.

Other Names for Calceolaria

Calceolaria is also called Slipperwort, Lady’s purse, Slipper flower or in the USA The Pocketbook flower.
Species of Calceolaria from wikipedia and others include:

* Calceolaria adenanthera
* Calceolaria alba
* Calceolaria amplexicaulis
* Calceolaria australis
* Calceolaria bentae
* Calceolaria brachiata
* Calceolaria commutata
* Calceolaria darwinii
* Calceolaria dilatata
* Calceolaria frondosa
* Calceolaria gossypina
* Calceolaria grandiflora
* Calceolaria harlingii
* Calceolaria helianthemoides
* Calceolaria herbeohybrida- herbaceous group
* Calceolaria hyssopifolia
* Calceolaria integrifolia – shrubby
* Calceolaria lanata
* Calceolaria lavandulifolia
* Calceolaria martinezii
* Calceolaria obtusa
* Calceolaria odontophylla
* Calceolaria oxyphylla
* Calceolaria pedunculata
* Calceolaria platyzyga
* Calceolaria rosmarinifolia
* Calceolaria semiconnata
* Calceolaria sericea
* Calceolaria serrata
* Calceolaria spruceana
* Calceolaria stricta
* Calceolaria Stewartii -shrubby
* Calceolaria tomentosa
* Calceolaria zamorana
* Calceolaria mexicana -annual
* Calceolaria scabiosaefolia – annual

* Calceolaria biflora Rock gardens
* Calceolaria Darwinii Rockery
* Calceolaria polyrrhiza Rockery

 

For something a bit different try reading about Cassiopes