Culture
Best grown in sandy, medium moisture, well-drained loams in full sun to light shade. Appreciates some part afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Winter mulch is advisable if grown as a perennial. 'Cheron Pink' is usually grown as an annual. When grown from seed, it begins producing flowers after 10 weeks with continued flowering to fall.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Incarvillea sinensis, commonly called incarvillea, is a caulescent annual or perennial herb that is native to Asia. It typically grows 1-2' tall on stems clad with fern-like, 2-pinnately parted leaves (to 5" long). Red to reddish-purple to rose-pink flowers in panicles bloom throughout summer.
Genus name honors Pierre d'Incarville (1706-1757), French missionary in China and botanical correspondent of the great botanist Bernard de Jussieu.
Specific epithet means Chinese.
'Cheron Pink' features pink trumpet-shaped flowers (to 1.5" long). It typically grows to 10-20" tall.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Watch for slugs.
Uses
Best as an annual for borders and containers. Rock gardens. Greenhouses.