Cuphea caeciliae (08/11/2015, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to light shade
Flowering period: Summer to early autumn
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 45cm
Eventual Spread: 60cm
Hardiness: 10a, 10b, 11, 12
Family: Lythraceae
Cuphea caeciliae is an evergreen shrub (treated as a annual in the UK) with a spreading habit. Its dark green leaves are elliptic with entire margins, up to 8cm long and 4cm across. Its red/ orange flowers are tubular and up to 4cm long.
Cuphea caeciliae Flower (08/11/2015, Kew Gardens, London)
Cuphea caeciliae, commonly known as Cigar Flower, is native to south Mexico.
The etymological root of the binomial name Cuphea is derived from the Greek kufos meaning ‘bent forward’. Caeciliae may be derived from the Latin caecilia meaning ‘a kind of lizard’. Reader feedback would be welcome on the species name of this plant.
In the UK the landscape architect may find Cuphea caeciliae useful as a low growing shrub (grown as an annual) suitable for a mixed border.
Cuphea caeciliae Leaf (08/11/2015, Kew Gardens, London)
Ecologically, Cuphea caeciliae flowers are attractive to polinating insects and hummingbirds.
Cuphea caeciliae prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It dislikes wet soils.
Cuphea caeciliae requires little maintenance. If grown in the UK it will not survive the winter months and will require replacing if this shrub is required the following year.
Landscape Architecture
