Plant Profile: Iochroma

Sophie Thomson

This is Iochroma, or violet tubeflower and I think it's one of the more interesting plants in my garden. I have several of them and these tall shrubs come from South America and despite the fact they look lush and tender, they've proved to be quite hardy, tolerating my hot, dry conditions. They do get watered occasionally, every week to two weeks, in the really hot weather.

And in warmer climates, they're evergreen. Whereas here, when we get down to minus five, they become completely deciduous. They even die back a bit due to the frost. So that's why I grow them against the stone walls. Elsewhere in the garden I have one with magenta flowers, one with a reddish-pink flower and one with large purple flowers.

Now, not only do I like the flowers, but the honey-eating birds and bees love them as well. It's worth mentioning that it is a member of the nightshade family, so, like angel's trumpet, you need to take care when handling it.

But I think for its beauty and toughness, it's worth including in your garden.