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Jovellana violacea - violetTeacup Flower

Jovellana violacea is an unusual rarity from Chile with colorful sprays of happy little flowers!  It doesn't have a common name, so i named it the Teacup Flower.  These sprightly blooms appear by the hundreds throughout Spring.  The fingernail-sized blooms are light-violet with festive markings of purple, yellow & red, with no two flowers having the same pattern.  This is a cool-climate species that might not thrive in warm climates.  It is very rare in cultivation, and fresh seeds are seldom seen for sale.

Jovellana violacea - violetTeacup Flower

 Jovellana is an upright, perennial bush that grows about 5 feet tall, which puts the blooms at the perfect height for viewing.  Each flower spray has 1 to 2 dozen blooms, and they completely cover the plant in Spring.  The flowers are similar to my Jovellana punctata, except they are light violet instead of white.  The flower sprays would make an exotic addition to flower arrangements!  Even without blooms this is an attractive plant, with woody stems and mint-shaped foliage.  The leaves have a nice minty-spicy aroma when rubbed.

Jovellana violacea - violetTeacup Flower

It comes from regions of Chile that are cool all year.  It seems happiest between 45 and 80 degrees F (7-27°C), with nights below 65° F (18°C).  I don't know if it will thrive if temperatures regularly get above the low 80s (28°C) and nights are warm.  It reportedly can survive a few degrees of frost, but i recommend protecting it from all frost.  It grows well indoors in a pot.  Give it fertile, well-draining soil  and keep it evenly moist.  It prefers partly sunny conditions, with protection from strong afternoon sun.  Over about 40% humidity is best.  

Jovellana violacea - violetTeacup Flower

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Germination tips for this plant

 

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