Colquhounia coccinea 'Nepalese Flame'

Rarely seen in gardens, Colquhounia coccinea 'Nepalese Flame' is a captivating shrub offering a dazzling burst of exotic flowers late in the season when most displays are beginning to fade.Introduced from the Himalayas in 1980, ‘Nepalese Flame’ is the most vivid coloured clone available. From late summer to autumn, tall spikes of rich vermillion, trumpet-shaped flowers with gold throats create a fiery display against its downy, semi-evergreen foliage. The flowers erupt along terminal racemes, each one up to 2.5cm long and resembling giant salvia blooms. Plants flower over a long period from August onwards and will even keep blooming until November in mild seasons. Its exotic appearance belies its resilience to cooler conditions, with plants hardy in most parts of the UK given shelter from cold winds and freely draining soil.Colquhounia coccinea 'Nepalese Flame' makes a superb exotic specimen for borders, courtyards, sheltered gardens and coastal areas, adding drama during the closing months of the year. Ultimate height and spread: 1.5m (4.9ft) to 2.5m (8.2ft).