Caiophora Lateritia Summer Flower
Flowers of the palest imaginable apricot-orange are enticingly attractive, but beware -the flowers, stems, and rough leaves have very fine hairs which prick one viciously. Those on the flower heads are worst and irritate the skin. That, in fact, is precisely the intention of this Argentinian plant, which uses them to discourage grazing animals. Caiophora is a botanical rarity that is marketed with increasing frequency by specialist seedsmen. The plant is a climber. Its hairy stems cling to any kind of support and may reach a height of 5 ft in a single growing season. Sow the warmth-loving plant indoors early in the year and do not put it outdoors in a sheltered, sunny position until the end of May. From July onwards, it will produce flowers over 1′A in wide in shades of apricot to brick-red, and sometimes whitish in color. Bees love them.
