Lapageria rosea 'Ligtromu' (leek-TROW-mew)

(Syn 'White Cloud)

Exacting in its requirements, Lapageria need cool moist acid soil in shade, absolutely hates direct sun for any length of time. The flowers in this cultivar are a pure white, they show up well against the dark leathery evergreen leaves which are large and waxy. In flower from August 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 L. rosea comes from Chile where its both endangered and the national flower. It was introduced around 1847. 

Lapageria 'White Cloud' is a Chilean cultivar whose real name is 'Ligtromu' and was one of the 3 plants already at El Vergel nursery, (#1 on their list). when it was bought in 1919, it is sometimes also known as "Nube Blanca"

Ligtromu is a vigorous grower with good clean white flowers whose colour is not effected by temperature Seed when produced is smaller than is normal but germinates well.