Calceolaria  x herbeohybrida
‘Chilean Gold’

Photo (right) courtesy of Sean Haleen

Us old-timers will remember delighting over “pocketbook plants” in those cool 1970’s houseplant stores that sadly, no longer exist. Well “pocketbook plants” have made their return and they’re still a delight! Bred from a cross of high elevation central and S. American Calceolarias, they love the cool, mild temps of the Bay Area and much of coastal California. Fast growing, with handsome low rosettes of quilty, rich green, oval-shaped leaves, these guys bloom from early Spring to mid-Summer – at least – on numerous upright 6” stems. “Inflated” 1” yellow blooms wearing coppery red “bibs” are SO CUTE! Usually grown in a pot (6-10” across), they prefer rich, well-drained soil. And since they can be grown as houseplants, they make a cool gift, too!