Lapageria rosea 'Nahuelbuta' (naw-well-BYOU-tah)

New in my collection in 2007, the large elegant white flowers are stained violet. Like all Lapageria it 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.

The cultivar Lapageria 'Nahuelbuta'  came from El Vergel. In 1919 the Methodist Church purchased the El Vergel farm outside Angol , Chile (where 'Nahuelbuta' #2 and two other forms were growing) from an aging Chilean who was a fruit grower and nurseryman.  Nahuelbuta is the name of a high coastal mountain range and a national park in Chile. The Spanish name for this cultivar is "Leon grande" It has also been known in the UK as 'Wisley Spotted' one of my plants came from Berkeley Botanic Garden California, the other from Penheale in Cornwall, again if anyone has any knowledge as to how or when the RHS acquired their plant known as 'Wisley Spotted' I would be pleased to hear from you. It is  strong growing and free flowering.