Salpiglossis sinuata Spectacular Chilean relative of the petunia, introduced in 1824. Branching 12-24″ stems with 2″ striped trumpet-shaped flowers in a wide range of metallic colors. Salpiglossis comes from two Greek words meaning trumpet and tongue, referring to the velvet-like blossoms. This flower should be offered by more greenhouses. Annual. Outstanding, a real conversation piece in the flower garden. Ideal for bedding, massing or spot color. Trumpet shaped blooms brilliantly bi-colored and veined in contrasting colors. Excellent as a cut flower.
Special Directions For Short Season Climates
SOWING: Sow seeds indoors in flats or individual peat pots 6 to 8 weeks before last frost. Can also be sown directly outdoors soon after danger of frost has passed. Press seeds into soil medium with back of hand. Cover flat or planting bed from light as seeds need darkness to germinate. Uncover and provide seedlings with plenty of light once germination occurs. When seedlings are 2 to 3 inches high thin to 8 inches apart. Carefully transplant thinned plants. (Painted-Tongue, Salpiglossis, Velvet Flower) Half-hardy Annual. An elegant, superlative cut flower and an effective addition to the summer border. Brilliant veining on velvety, petunia like blossoms makes this worth fussing over. It is one of those plants that do well if the weather is not too hot or too cold. Dazzling blooms come in a variety of vivid colors – yellow, orange, bronze, red, pink, white, pearl gray, deep rose, violet, purple, blue, with many bicolors, distinctively veined. Plants can be either willowy or bushy, depending on the variety you choose. Blooms from mid-summer until frost. The key to success with this selection is planting these seedlings immediately after the last spring frost but well before the summer heat kicks in. Do not cover the seeds with soil but keep dark with black plastic cover until germinated. Don’t overwater or overfertilize but keep your soil evenly moist. ‘Bolero Mixed’ and ‘Splash Mixed’ are recommended varieties. 15 seed