Name:  Lophospermum – Lofos^®Compact Rose sometimes called creeping gloxinia

Type of Plant:  Trailing plants for sun to part-sun – they are perennial in Zone 9 or 10 (tropical) but annuals in the Northeast.

Why I Love This Plant:  It’s great to have some new choices in plants that trail without getting really huge. And when those “spillers” also have flowers, it’s a winner!

I got this plant from the people Suntory this year and I used it with some other plants in a hollowed-out tree trunk that I’ve filled with potting soil. It’s grown about 2 feet long this summer, and has flowered continuously without deadheading.

A Word to the Wise:   This plant is native to the mountains of Guatemala and Mexico. In the wild the flowers are red, violet and purple, and are pollinated by hummingbirds. As gardeners, we have access to several colors of flowers and hybrid plants that are the perfect size for containers.

Plant Lofos in new potting mix with some time-release fertilizer for a trouble free, cascading plant all summer and into the fall.

I planted the Lophospermum Lofos Compact Rose in a hollow stump filled with potting soil. I’ve seen this plant in hanging baskets and cascading over the edge of tall pots as well.

Hummingbirds come to the tubular flowers and the foliage stays a fresh green all summer. This plant will be on my shopping list every spring! Next year I’ll combine it with Dicondra Silver Falls and something upright with purple foliage.