Iochroma australis

It's looking good. So, this one can grow outdoors there in the garden?

What a beautiful flower

We will find out over the next year Delonix. Easy outdoors in London apparently, and as I say I know of a large one in rural Kent. But urban Oxfordshire may well be a first............

Thanks Sticki! Believe it or not it is a relative of the good old spud and of tomatoes!

Oh that's funny I wouldn't have worked that out but what came to mind was deadly nightshade? Is that the same family?

Meanie:

Good luck! I'm sure you'll take good care of it.

I've never seen one 8 meters before (not saying they can't grow this tall here, though). I know they can grow to 15ft (5m) tall and with about the same spread. I've seen many Iochroma species grow to these proportions here in California.

It is the same family Sticki.

Delonix - just found the photo out. Now that I have blooms on mine for scale I reckon the claimed 8m may be an exaggeration, but still a good size.................

http://bit.ly/MiKmLn

Meanie:

Yes, that's a beautiful, very large specimen. I would never guess they could grow that big there in the UK. I know most species of Iochroma are very tender.

It's a good sheltered spot. And it self seeds freely too.

I lost my I.cyanea last winter - it was in the shed min 0°c huddled in the middle of all the I.australis. Maybe too cold, maybe I kept it too dry?

I do think I. cyaneum, fuchsioides are much more tender than I. australis.

I reckon that you're right.................