Brachysema

(Brachyse'ma)

DESCRIPTION: These are climbing, shrubby plants native to Australia. They may be grown outside in California and other mild climates, or in greenhouses elsewhere. Their long, trailing shoots are covered with oval, evergreen leaves. They produce clusters of pea-shaped flowers that are scarlet, violet or white in March and April.

POTTING: The greenhouse needs to have a minimum winter temperature of 45 degrees. These plants are placed in large tubs or a prepared bed of soil in the spring. An equal part of loam, peat and leaf mold, with quite a bit of sand added, is the necessary compost for this plant. The shoots should be trained to wire that is attached to the greenhouse roof.

PROPAGATION: Firm shoots, 3 inches long, can be inserted in July. Place a bell jar over them until they have formed roots, after which they are potted separately, until they're large enough to plant in tubs or beds. Shoots can also be layered in pots in September.

VARIETIES: B. latifolium (crimson); B. acuminatum (carmine); B. lanceolatum (scarlet, yellow and white).

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