Shortia uniflora 'Grandiflora Rosea'

Differs from S. galacifolia in being a more dwarf, sturdier plant, with heart-shaped leaves on shorter petioles. Larger flowers, 1 1/2" across, pink with fringed edges, 3-4". Leaf back is dull. Native to Japan. Shortias are one of our most popular plants. They are attractive through all seasons, having glossy, deep green leaves that often turn red in fall and winter, in addition to the early spring flowers, white or pink and ruffled. The literature about their culture stresses that they grow best in areas with cool, damp summers, in neutral to acid soil, humus-rich and well drained. In Portland, Oregon our summers tend to be mostly dry with often low humidity, 20 to 30%, and extended periods of 80 ºF occasionally in the 90s ºF. Night temperatures are much lower. Our established clump of Shortia galacifolia is thriving with a south west exposure under tall conifers which give some dappled shade. We do provide our woodland landscape with a nightly 20 minute micro-mist. We use no fertilizer except in the sales growing area where all of the plants get two or three applications of 1/2 strength 20-20-20 each spring into summer.