Hypsela reniformis
Mountain kidney creeper
Also known as Hypsela longiflora
- Height × spread
- 0.05m × 5m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, likes light shade
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Spring, Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This makes curious groundcover in a warm moist position. Smooth, fleshy looking leaves that are variable in shape. They may be a somewhat rounded, kidney shaped or form plump oblongs. These are coloured mid-green with plum suffusion on some leaves and often plum coloured midribs. The edges may be smooth or toothy. The plant makes a low textured foliage mat enlivened by the curious flowers. These stand up above the flowers, fleshy looking tubes with five flared petals at their tips. They are coloured white, often suffused with pink and having a bold maroon flare at the petal centre. The flowers appear in late spring and early summer. These are borderline hardy and may be munched by slugs. This species comes from Chile in South America where it is often found growing at some altitude.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Prostrate
- Height
- 0.05m
- Spread
- 5m
- Spread in 10 years
- 2m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Feed a general fertiliser
Where plants have moderate needs for nutrients, they can simply be given a general feed, fairly early in the growth season so that the growth has plenty of time to harden off before the cold weather.
Give plants a general boost with the application of a general purpose fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plant, with amounts as directed on the feed label.