Seemannia nematanthodes

Seemannia (Gloxinia) nematanthodes which we originally (and mistakenly) offered as Achimenes heterophylla, produces very showy bright red inflated flowers in late summer above dark velvety green leaves. A somewhat succulent perennial, forming colonies to about one foot tall from tubers that look like little pinecones. This plant will over winter in the South but should have a winter mulch. As weather warms, remove this covering to allow new shoots to emerge. Given rich soil and ample water, these plants will thrive during hot summers. Plant in semi-shady site with good drainage but with irrigation. We originally obtained this special little plant from a private garden in Beaufort, South Carolina. Our friends at Plant Delights Nursery offer a very similar plant with perhaps more yellow in the throat of the flower. They collected it in Argentina and offer it by the variety name 'Evita'.