Photo of Cantua buxifolia flower by Wendy Cutler

Photo by Wendy Cutler

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Cantua buxifolia

Also Known As

  • Inca Bells
  • Magic Flower
  • Sacred Flower of the Andes
  • Sacred Flower of the Incas

Plant type

shrub

size

  • H: 6'-8'
  • W: 6'-8'

planting zones

  • 9b-11

More Options

Cantua buxifolia plant details

Cantua buxifolia is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with green foliage. In spring and summer pink and red flowers emerge. Attracts hummingbirds. Grows well with sun and regular - low water. Does well in rich and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Cantua buxifolia

Plant type: shrub
Plant family: polemoniaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 6 FT - 8 FT - wide, 6 FT - 8 FT - tall
Flowers: pink and red blooms in spring and summer
Uses: container plant, showy, tropical-looking, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Cantua buxifolia

USDA Zones: 9b - 11
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: regular - low
Soil needs: rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Brilliant magenta flowers cover this amazing evergreen shrub in Spring & intermittently throughout the year in temperate climates. Hardy to 20 °F with pretty bright green foliage, it grows quickly to a multibranching 6’ x 6’. The 3” long flaring trumpets are held in clusters of twelve or more & display bright blue pollen on the stamens. Adored by hummingbirds! Can be pruned to a shorter size & grown in a large container (15 gal. or larger) or espaliered. It enjoys rich soil (tolerates worse) & a sunny sheltered spot. Native to the Andes. Does not fair well in hot & humid climates.
Whether this gorgeously blooming shrub really was sacred to the Incas, we don't know, but it comes from the Andes, is scarce in cultivation, and is very, very beautiful indeed. A dazzling display in Spring/Summer of bright cerise, tubular flowers, 3" long, flaring at the tips in dense, terminal clusters. It enjoys rich soil (tolerates worse), a sunny, sheltered position and requires winter protection! Can grow to 7' tall and usually needs tying or staking. Hummers love this!
Sacred Inca flower has provocative clusters of bright 4" red-pink, flaring, tubular flowers at the ends of arching stems with a sparse growth of small, evergreen leaves - all the better to see these truly arresting flowers that hummingbirds love as much as we do.

Gardening facts about Cantua buxifolia plant

How to Grow Cantua buxifolia

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun
  • Water Needs

    • regular - low
  • Soil Needs

    • well-drained
    • rich

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • pink
    • red
  • Wildlife

    • hummingbirds
  • Flower Season

    • spring
    • summer
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
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