Lapageria rosea 'Exquisita' (x-KEY-sea-tah)

New in 2008 to my collection this pale blush pink flowers. Like all Lapageria needs cool moist acid soil in shade, absolutely hates direct sun for any length of time, although the top of the plant will be happy if the lower part is shaded. The flowers are waxy bells and it is in flower from July through to March. Due to its flowering period and the fact that new growth can be frost damaged it needs a sheltered place (min -8c) or grow it down the shady end of the conservatory.
The species comes from Chile; the majority of wild plants have cherry red flowers with occasional pale pinks and whites. Introduced around 1847.

'Exquista'  originated as an lost/unlabeled plant from the Montenegro collection which passed to Berkeley in 2004 it is thought to be the old cultivar 'Rayan' it was given the named Exquista which translates roughly to "Blush" by Carlos Rendon
My plant of Lapageria 'Exquista'  came from Berkeley Botanic Garden California to whom I am grateful for the picture, It is a strong grower and the large flowers will be almost white in warm conditions.