The
Lapageria rosea was a relatively recent introduction
to Victorian Britain, being seen for the first time
at Kew in 1847 (having been obtained from Chili).
Hibberd
described them as 'nearly hardy' and could be grown
well in a cool plant-house,
although in sheltered spots in Devon and Cornwall they
would well be grown out of doors. They needed good turfy
peat as soil with some grit added, and copious watering.
Once growing on, they could be trained to wires or to
the rafters of the glass house.
If
they started to straggle then Hibberd advised they be
tossed onto the compost heap. "Netter always a
thriving tuft of native chickweed than a poor example
of any grand exotic!"
