Streptocarpus 'Katie' (PBR)
cape primrose
- Position: partial shade
- Soil: fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil or fibre-based compost if grown indoors
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: April to October
- Hardiness: tender (will need to be over-wintered indoors, or in a shaded greenhouse)
Each of the flaring flowers of this robust cultivar are pencilled with a rich, deep purple, but the three lower lobes are also suffused with purple, so they create a distinctive two-tone effect. Appearing over many months from spring to autumn, each stem can hold up to eight flowers, so it puts on a great display. - Home care: Throughout the growing season, keep them quite well watered, but as they are sensitive to overwatering, allow the compost to get a little dry in between; during this time they should also be fed with a high potash fertiliser. Remove spent flowers as they fade and trim back any old leaves that are past their best. Overwinter on a south or west-facing windowsill and water less often. Repot each spring into a slightly larger, shallow pot filled with fibre-based compost. They can also be used as summer bedding - grow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in partial shade.