How to Grow Incarvillea Plants in your Garden
Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Hardy Gloxinia, Trumpet Flower & Chinese Trumpet Flower
Incarvillea are hardy perennials that grow in clumps and range in height from 30 to 120 cm (1 to 4 feet). They are native to the high mountains of central and Eastern Asia.
They have fern-like leaves and carry exotic trumpet shaped flowers of yellow, red or pink.
They are great plants for use in borders, and the smaller varieties are of use in rock gardens.
Some of the common names for Incarvillea are trumpet flower, Hardy Gloxina, and Chinese trumpet flower.
Incarvillea pictures
Incarvillea sinesis, comonly known as Fern-leaved Trumpet Flower
Incarvillea arguta, commonly known as Himalayan Gloxinia
Incarvillea delavayi
Incarvillea Photographs by Challiyan, Philip Bouchard, and Wallygrom: CC.
Incarvillea members
There are 16 members of the Incarvillea genus, these are widely known as Perennial Trumpet flowers. Some of the ones that are commonly grown in gardens include:
Incarvillea delavayi : Garden Gloxinia / Delavays Trumpet Flower
Incarvillea arguta : Himalayan Gloxinia
Incarvillea compacta : Dwarf Trumpet Flower
Incarvillea olgae : Princess' Trumpet Flower
Incarvillea sinensis (syn. Incarvillea Variabilis) : Fern-leaved Trumpet Flower
Incarvillea lutea : Yellow Colicroot
The rest of the genus is made up by:
Incarvillea altissima : Forest
Incarvillea beresowskii : Batalin
Incarvillea dissectifoliola
Incarvillea emodi : Chatterjee
Incarvillea forrestii
Incarvillea mairei
Incarvillea potaninii
Incarvillea younghusbandii: Short plant with large pink trumpet flowers discovered in Tibet by Captain Younghusband.
Incarvillea zhongdianensis : Grey-Wilson, a good rock garden plant.
Commonly Grown Incarvillea Species
Incarvillea sinensis
Incarvillea sinensis (Incarvillea), photograph by Michael Wolf; (CC BY-SA 3.0).
Incarvillea Plant Specific Growing Tips
Incarvillea delavayi (Garden Gloxinia / Delavays Trumpet Flower / Chinese Trumpet Flower)
Incarvillea delavayi (Hardy gloxinia / Flowering fern), photograph by 阿橋 HQ; CC.
Larger Pink trumpet like flowers that look similar to Gloxinia, hence the common name. The flowers are fragrant and attract butterflies and bees.
Can grow in both acidic and alkaline soils, but prefers a range of 6 to 8 for best results. Full grown plants can reach 60 cm (2 feet) in height, and should be spaced at around 30 to 40 cm apart (1 to 1.4 feet).
Best grown in zones 6 to 10, though has been seen to be successful in zones 3 to 10.
Difficult to grow in areas that have summers that are hot and humid. Requires excellent drainage, and is therefore recommended as a plant for growing in a rock garden, or possibly on a raised bed.
Incarvillea arguta ( Himalayan Gloxinia)
Incarvillea arguta (Chinese Trumpet Flower / Himalayan Gloxinia Leaves), picture by Leonora (Ellie) Enking; CC.
Flowers can be pink or white, reaches from 45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 inches) in height, and should be sown with a spacing of about 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16 inches).
Best grown in sunny conditions, ideal for clay soils with excellent drainage. Grows in zones 7 to 10. Can attract hummingbirds if they are in your area.
Incarvillea Growing and Care Guide
Common Names: Hardy Gloxinia, Chinese Trumpet Flower, Trumpet Flower.
Life Cycle: Hardy perennial.
Height: 12 to 48 inches (30 to 120 cm).
Native: Asia.
Growing Region: Zones 3 to 8.
Flower Details: Red, Pink, Magenta. Yellow throats. Trumpets. Blooms appear before foliage.
Foliage: Herbaceous. Dark Green. Divided. Ovate. Fern-like. Lanceolate.
Sow Inside: Germination time: one to two months. Temperature: 60 to 70°F (16 to 21°C). Two months in advance. Transplant the seedlings to their final location following the last frost.
How to Grow Trumpet Flowers and other Incarvillea Plants
The seeds of trumpet flower (Incarvillea pants) should be sown on the surface either before the last frost of spring or in the autumn.
Incarvillea members like to grow in sunny area of the garden, and will not tolerate high humidity.
Trumpet flowers have a preference for soils that are of a sandy nature, with a slightly acidic rich growth medium.
If you prefer to first grow Incarvillea indoors then they should be started about two months before the expected last frost of spring.
They will take about three to eight weeks to germinate at a temperature of 15 to 21 degrees Celsius (59 to 70°F).
Once you have trumpet flower (Incarvillea) seedlings transplant them at 25 cm (10 inches) for small species to 50 cm (20 inches) apart for larger plants.
Caring for Trumpet flower (Incarvillea)
Once growing it is fairly easy to look after Trumpet flowers. The soil should be kept moist and the plants dead headed following flowering.
If you live in a cold area then it is necessary to provide a mulch to Incarvillea for the winter. If you require more Incarvillea plants then divide the plants in spring.
Common Questions
How many members does the Incarvillea genus have?
The Incarvillea genus contains 16 species.
Do members of Incarvillea make a good garden or landscaping plant?
Yes, Incarvillea makes a great garden plant. It's often used in borders and beds for its attractive, trumpet-shaped flowers and fern-like foliage.
Which Incarvillea species are most frequently grown by gardeners?
Incarvillea delavayi, or hardy gloxinia, is commonly grown for its large, showy pink flowers that resemble those of gloxinia, a tropical relative.
Are members of the Incarvillea plant genus fragrant?
While not all Incarvillea species are fragrant, Incarvillea delavayi is known to have a light, pleasant scent.
What is the perfect location to grow Incarvillea?
Incarvillea prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It's drought-tolerant once established, making it a good choice for rock gardens.
Is Incarvillea invasive in the USA, if so in which states?
Currently, Incarvillea is not considered invasive in the USA.
How do I remove Incarvillea plants from my garden?
To remove Incarvillea, dig up the entire plant, ensuring that all root material is removed to prevent regrowth.
Summary
The Incarvillea genus, belonging to the Bignoniaceae family, includes perennial and biennial plants native to Asia. Known for their trumpet-shaped flowers, these plants are often used in rock gardens and borders.
To grow Incarvillea, plant in a location with full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Regular watering is necessary for optimal growth. Propagation is generally achieved through seeds or division.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Incarvillea plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Gerbera and Rhubarb plants.
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