Tecophilaea

Superb dwarf corms from Chile of which there are just two species. At one time, the alpine Tecophilaea cyanocrocus was considered extinct in the wild. However it has been rediscovered in the wild close to the Chilean capital Santiago. Popular myth blamed extinction on wild collection, (with no proof). In truth Kew have found that the gene pool of cultivated plants is both limited and constant, indicating that the stock in cultivation has been raised from a small number of plants. In fact changes in stock grazing patterns and excessive water abstraction caused the loss of the limited, vulnerable habitat, however eradicating a plant by agriculture is apparently less emotive than blaming the demonic Victorian “collectors”.

Compost here is a well-drained, loam with some humus and about one third coarse sand added to it. They are summer dormant and need dryness at that time, but this must not be too severe or they will shrivel.

In the winter they are cold-hardy here, in the open ground, but in a pot they will need frost protection. We grow them outside, in well-drained, raised, shaded beds. In cold continental climates they may need winter protection.

Tecophilaea are not for dunking in any old spot in any old garden but are not difficult plants either.

Available for ordering from our Autumn list only.