Incarvillea delavayi ‘Alba’

SNOW TOP

Incarvillea delavayi ‘Alba’
SNOW TOP

Incarvillea delavayi ‘Alba’ is the rare and much prized white form. 

Showy heads of snow white trumpets

Heads of large, showy, white trumpets are borne atop strong stems.
They have a lovely waxy, substantial texture.
And are the snowiest of snow white.

Showy heads of large trumpets

Snow Top really is very spectacular bloomer, with the big trumpets looking in all directions, in a circular whirl around the stout stem.
Incarvillea are sometimes known as “The Hardy Gloxinia” because of their beautiful, waxy, exotic large trumpets.

Delicate looks & tough constitution

While Incarvillea delavayi ‘Alba’ looks like a delicate and exotic indoor plant, in fact it is a tough and easily grown garden perennial.
There is nothing tender about these robust perennials, nor are they Gloxinia – thay just look alike.

Refined ladders of foliage

The foliage clumps of this handsome perennial are also a great garden asset.
It forms a neat clump of formal ladder shaped leaves, resembling fern fronds – but of course much hardier.
So the foliage clump forms the perfect setting for those glorious large flaring trumpets.

Long spectacular blooming during spring & summer

Incarvillea delavayi ‘Alba’ is long blooming from mid spring into summer.
Producing a succession of flower spires, with each stem having a head of up to a dozen trumpets.
What a spectacular bloomer !!!

Beautiful cut flowers for floristry

The showy flowers, with their long-lasting waxy texture, make beautiful centrepieces for vases and floral arrangements.

Ideal growing amongst trees & shrubs 

It prefers to grow amongst the dappled light and shade under trees and shrubs, or can cope with a full sun positions if it is well mulched.

Adapts to a wide range of soils

These plants are not fussy about soil, as long as the position is well drained.

Copes with dry & frost well once established

Incarvillea delavayi ‘Alba’ quickly establishes a thick, rhizome-like root system.
Allowing it to withstand periods of dry once it is established.
It is also hardy to winter frosts.

Elegant but Easy to grow & low maintenance

Snow Top is easy to grow and low maintenance.
It is not usually subject to any pests and diseases.
And does not require any regular maintenance other than cutting off the finished flower stems (or harvesting them for vases), which promotes further flower production.

Rabbit & deer resistant

Incarvillea plants are not usually favoured by rabbits and deer.
Plants have a bitter taste – so while not toxic to humans or animals – the munching pests are do not like the bitter taste.

Magnet for native nectar loving birds, bees & pollinators

But our native Honeyeater birds, bees (including the delightful native Blue-Banded Bee) and other insect pollinators – simply cannot resist the nectar laden trumpets.
The trumpets are way big enough to give a New Holland Honeyeater bird a thrill.

Beautiful pot feature

The beauty of both flower and foliage, and the long blooming period, make Incarvillea delavayi ‘Alba’ a worthy specimen for a feature pot.

Long lived, hardy perennial clump

45cm. high in spectacular flower x 45cm. wide clump of handsome ladder-like foliage.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: Incarvillea delavayi ‘Alba’

Sow in punnets indoors at any time when suitable temperatures can be provided (16-21°C).
OR
Scatter seeds in the garden in spring or autumn.

Sow indoors for early & quick plants: First sow the seeds in a punnets on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.

Then press gently to ensure good contact with the surface of the mix.
And barely cover the seeds with sieved mix / fine grit/sand/or vermiculite.

Now thoroughly moisten the punnet by standing it in a shallow water bath, and allowing the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below.

Then place the moist, sown punnet in a warm, well-lit position (not in any direct sunlight as this will dry the seeds out and prevent germination).

Temperatures of 16 to 21°C are best for optimum and rapid germination.
You can use a heat mat if you have one, to maintain consistent warmth.

Continue to keep the punnet moist by misting from a spray water-bottle.
Covering the punnet with a clear plastic lid or plastic bag will also help to maintain necessary consistent moisture.

Seedlings should begin to emerge in approx. 2-4 weeks.

However if the seedlings are shy to emerge – then wrap the punnet in cling wrap & place in the fridge (not freezer) for 4-6 weeks to mimic the chill of winter.

Then remove from fridge, unwrap punnet & return to warm, well-lit place at 16-21°C  for germination.
Most seedlings should emerge in approx. 30 days.
But patience – do not discard punnet, as some seedlings may come later (this is a natural defence of the plant to stagger germination – to give some the best chance of sprouting into favourable conditions)

Seed Count: 6 seeds per pack
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count and give a generous serve).

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