Lapageria rosea 'Guacolda'

Exacting in its requirements, needs cool moist acid soil in shade, absolutely hates direct sun for any length of time. The flowers in this cultivar are a beautiful shade of shell pink and show up well against the dark leathery evergreen leaves, they are large and waxy. 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 as I do.
The species comes from Chile where its both endangered and the national flower. It was introduced around 1847.

This cultivar newly introduced to the collection here in 2019 from Carlos Rendon's own collection, came to him from Ariel Powers a Chilean living in the Bay area of California. He was volunteering at the Chilean Embassy and has 'Guacolda growing in his back yard, it is from him Carlos obtained cuttings. The plant is a large grower with large white open bell flowers

 Guacolda is possibly mythical but is reputed to have helped lead successful uprising against the Spanish occupation in the mid 1500's

"A beautiful woman who was seduced by the courage and talent of Lautaro and who decided to follow him with determination and courage. The chronicles also point out that Guacolda and Lautaro served in Spanish homes.

According to tradition, Francisco de Villagra -   in whose house Guacolda would have been raised - victor in the battle, would have taken it with him and the woman would have died of grief soon after." - A translation from a Spanish Text