Description
Pyrgophyllum forms a cluster of small tubers from which arises a medium-sized, herbaceous plant with furled and channelled green leaves, reminiscent of Roscoea.
The growths are topped by one to three attractive pale-yellow flowers which open, in succession in July and August, thus following on from Roscoea. The lips of the flowers are expanded and conspicuous.
This was re-found by members of Bonn Botanic Garden in the Tiger Leaping Gorge in northern Yunnan at an altitude of 2,150 m some years ago. Our stock are vegetative propagations of the original 3 plants which they introduced.
Grows perfectly well treated as a Roscoea, thriving outside, but its hardiness is not really tested. It has survived for many years without a problem but did not survive the winter of 2010-2011, in a pot, in an unheated frame, but there again we had -15°C for days. There are many “hardy” plants that would die under such conditions, without having their reputation sullied by any suggestion of tenderness. Ϲyclamen hederifolium is regarded as perfectly hardy but did not survive in adjacent pots!
