Bomarea caldasii If I had to choose my favorite Bomarea, B. caldasii would definitely be the one! This Central American native is like a climbing Alstroemeria on steroids – TALL & bursting with pendulous umbels of vivid red, waxy, bell-shaped flowers with an inner bloom flecked by darker red spots. Underground rhizomes bear a ton of tubers that produce many upright, 10’-12’ vining stems. A year or so in the ground protected from frost ensures a long life for this exotic sweetheart. Cut to the ground after it matures, at least every other year – the rewards will be a LONG display of gorgeousness (in mild Winter climates, we get reports of a 9 month blooming season.) There’s year-round interest even when the bloom is done - the seed pods are an added feature, plump & greenish-red, they’re great for adding to your Fall & Winter bouquets.
-Lily |
