Schizanthus pinnatus ‘Hit Parade’ growing in a conservatory at Normanby Hall Country Park Scunthope.

Facts about Schizanthus pinnatus

• Schizanthus is sometimes called the butterfly flower for the vibrant and varied colours of the flowers. Also known as the poor-man’s-orchid the blooms have that orchid type funnel with atypical internal markings and often with a contrasting eye A third name of fringe-flower presumably links to the scalped edge petals so three descriptive names to add to the binomial of this member of the Solanaceae family.
• Schizanthus pinnatus ‘Hit Parade’ is a bushy half hardy annual up to 30cm tall with fern-like leaves.
• Four main varieties of  Schizanthus pinnatus are  ‘Dr Badger’, Angel Wings, ‘Star Parade’ and ‘Hit Parade’, which display magentas and darker pinks. with its delicate clouds of flowers in pink, mauve, cream and white,
• The species currently recognized in the Schizanthus genus are:
  • Schizanthus alpestris, Schizanthus candidus, Schizanthus grahamii
  • Schizanthus hookerii , Schizanthus integrifolius  Schizanthus lacteus
  • Schizanthus laetus, Schizanthus litoralis,  Schizanthus parvulus
  • Schizanthus pinnatus,  Schizanthus porrigens, Schizanthus tricolor
• The orchid-like flowers  in shades of pink, red, cream and lilac have distinctive spotted and blotched  markings.
• Schizanthus are native to the Chile
• Pot-plant growers sow Schizanthus first thing in the New Year to be ready for Mother’s Day

How to Grow Schizanthus pinnatus

• As a good-value, easy-to-grow, half-hardy plants sow seeds in the spring for bedding, pots and borders in the summer months.
• They need light for germination, which takes around 20 days, so don’t cover the seeds
• When the seedlings reach 3 inches tall, pinch the tips to encourage them to branch out and grow bushy.
• Plant the seedlings in rich, well-drained soil where they will get morning sun and afternoon shade.
• Schizanthus is a relatively rapid grower, and will soon reach its full height and make an airy bush.
• Sown in late summer they come into flower when the light levels increase  in the spring
• Plant in shaded beds, planters, hanging baskets or grow on indoor windowsills.
• In the conservatory place them where they will receive morning sun a shaded spot in the afternoon and if possible a flow of air.
• Wait until the soil is almost dry before watering as the roots may rot if over watered.
• They can thrive on a bit of neglect.
• Schizanthus are too brittle and floppy to make cut flowers but grown in pots they can be brought in the house for flowering.