Description
(syn. ferghanensis)
A fabulous species from China and Russia and one of the most attractive of the newly introduced Asian species, only established in cultivation within the past 20 years or so.
Narrow stems from 30-45cm tall carry narrow leaves with tendriliform tips and up to three large, square-shouldered bells of quite a bright pink-purple to a greyish shade, tessellated slightly outside but very strongly marked and chequered inside with deep purple, infused with green at the base. As more has become know about this species, it has become evident that it is more variable, particularly in colouring, than was formerly known and thus F. ferghanensis (this would have been the paler plant illustrated) has been recognised as being the same species – a synonym.
Lovely and easily grown in a moist, well-drained soil which does not dry out too much in summer. In common with several Asian species, this one does start to root early in the summer and needs correspondingly early planting.
