Incarvillea delavayi

The flowers of this tough plant look very much like tropical gloxinia, but it is perfectly hardy all the way down to zone 5. Fern-like foliage nicely complements the pink trumpet flowers.

Easy to grow in average soil but needs good drainage, making it a good candidate for the rock garden. Apply mulch or dried leaves to the base of this plant in fall to help it get through winter. Little troubled by disease, but slugs love the leaves.

Southern gardeners: this plant may be best avoided as it is intolerant of heat and humidity.

Zones: 5 to 8
Family: Bignoniaceae
Type: Perennial
Height: 18 to 24 in.
Spread: 18 to 24 in.
Exposure: full sun, part-shade, light shade
Soil Conditions: well-drained, average, humus rich, fertile
Bloom Time: June to August
Bloom Color: pink with yellow throat
Native Range: China