Seemannia sylvatica

[Palmaceae]

This is quickly becoming my favorite plants to go along with palms. Seemannia sylvatica, which used to be Gloxina sylvatica (native to the Bolivian Andes), does remarkably well here is SW Florida. In the summer it does not bloom and looks a bit ragged but fall, winter and spring it looks spectacular. I just planted 8 more in the garden.

 

[Karen]

I really like this plant, also and had not been aware of the genus change, so thanks for that information!  It grows extremely well for us in rainy Hilo and seems to bloom almost year round.  As it gets taller, the flower stalks fall over and root so it has ended up being a great ground cover for us in about a 12' x 6' area.  It also re-seeds for us but is not rampant like some of the impatiens can be here in Hawaii.  Even manages to keep most of the weeds down & in this area, that is really impressive. 

When it is through blooming, we just use the weed whacker to top the whole bunch down to about 6-8" which encourages new growth growth and thicker branching.

Aloha,  Karen

[Bazza]

Beautiful!

Never met a Gesneriad I didn't like! There's a story behind that - maybe for another day.

One of my clients planted some in their backyard a couple years ago and I was impressed with it's beauty.

Thanks for sharing!

[Palm crazy]

That is a gorgeous plant! I am always looking for something new and interesting to add to the garden and this is one plant I need to look into. Thanks for sharing! 

[rick]

What conditions do you have this in? I tried it in a part sun part of the yard and could only manage a couple blooms before it died.

[Palmaceae]

14 minutes ago, rick said:

What conditions do you have this in? I tried it in a part sun part of the yard and could only manage a couple blooms before it died.

They are in full morning sun but the partial to full shade as the day goes along. They never dry out and mulched heavily.  Hope that helps.

[Jeff Searle]

I would really be interested in trying this too. Any ideas where we can find a plant to buy?

[Palmaceae]

Jeff, I found my first one at a small family owned nursery on Pine Island, but just a few weeks ago I found them at Lowes and bought 8 of them.

[rick]

I got mine at the small nursery inside of Mounts Botanical Garden. They called it Bolivian Sunset gloxinia. I'll have to keep an eye out for it so I can try again.

[Hammer]

Randy, is this plant a dark orange when blooming?   Or is it more red?  Hard to tell exactly with most of the photos online.  Looks like some are red but mostly the pics look orange.

[aussiearoids]

Anyone seen this in Australia ?

[Palmaceae]

1 hour ago, Hammer said:

Randy, is this plant a dark orange when blooming?   Or is it more red?  Hard to tell exactly with most of the photos online.  Looks like some are red but mostly the pics look orange.

Adam,

The color is reddish orange, but a lot more on the red side, especially when you see the plant in person.

[Hammer]

1 hour ago, Palmaceae said:

Adam,

The color is reddish orange, but a lot more on the red side, especially when you see the plant in person.

Thanks Randy.

[Jeff Searle]

On ‎1‎/‎9‎/‎2016‎ ‎8‎:‎52‎:‎54‎, Palmaceae said:

Jeff, I found my first one at a small family owned nursery on Pine Island, but just a few weeks ago I found them at Lowes and bought 8 of them.

Thank you.

[sgvcns]

Michael

FYI

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/JINGLES-Gloxinia-Sylvatica-Rockery-Ground-cover-pots-WINTER-FLOWERS-1-PLANT-/321769199990

Steve

[Michele]

On 1/11/2016 at 8:26 AM, aussiearoids said:

Anyone seen this in Australia ?

Hi there, I know that it is many years since you asked about this plant. Did you manage to find one? I am north of Brisbane and now sell these from home if that is of any help. Hopefully you have managed to locate one in the meantime. Cheers, Michele.