(Pelican Flower, Calico Flower, Elegant Dutchman's Pipe)

Very exotic looking flower with lovely heart shaped leaves!

Blooming Time: around Christmas time till its cools down again (for Northland).

Culture: Aristolochia elegans like to grow in a light and airy place, but not in direct sunlight. It requires only average soil to look good. Does well in light sandy soils as well. Avoid watering the Elegant Dutchmans pipe excessively, always leaving the soil dry for a few days between one watering. (I planted my plants directly out in the garden. The soil is clay mixed with some better topsoil but nothing fancy. They get very dry in summer and still survive. In cooler winter the plants die level to the ground and sprout back in spring. I’m quite amazed how much they can handle!)

Fertilizer: Enrich the soil, towards the end of the winter or in autumn, with manure or slow release fertilizer. You can add a fertilizer for green or flowering plants, rich in nitrogen and potassium to the irrigating water during the growing season.

Hardiness: It is a tropical but quite a tough one. You have to protect the plants from frost. In lighter frost, tops will be killed to the ground but usually return in the spring. Heavy frost will kill the plant.

Usage: Train it along fences or grow it up a trellis on the patio, near an entry where the striking flowers can be seen at eye level by passersby.

This robust vine also does well in containers with regular watering.

Comments: Aristolochia is a beautiful tropical vine that can tolerate some drought. The breath-taking coloured blooms draw a lot of attention from many passers-by!

This auction is for a 1 plant approx. 50cm over ground. Pot size : PB2

Have a look at my other listings with rare and special plants!