Guide to growing Painted Tongue - Salpiglossis
Salpiglossis are half hardy annuals that reach from 45 to 60cm in height.
They are best grown in cool areas as this prolongs there blooming period, which can be from summer through to the first frost of winter.
Salpiglossis carries lance shaped leaves and cornet shaped flowers; Salpiglossis plants often have different coloured flowers on the same plant ranging from red through to orange and yellow.
A common name for Salpiglossis is Painted Tongue.
How to grow Painted Tongue
The seeds of painted tongue and other Salpiglossis should be sown on the soil surface immediately before the last frost of spring is expected. The seeds should then be covered very lightly with straw. Painted tongue should be spaced about 40cm apart and grown in either a sunny or partially shaded part of the garden in an average soil.
If starting off indoors then sow the seeds into a peat pot about 12 weeks before the last frost is expected. The Painted Tongue seeds should be germinated in the dark at about 21 to 24 degrees centigrade. Once established sow them outdoors in spring a couple of weeks before the last frost.
Caring for painted tongue - Salpiglossis
It takes a little bit of work to care for painted tongue. Once established outdoors pinch back the tips of Painted Tongue and other Salpiglossis species as this will encourage branching. They should be mulched in the spring and supported with a twig or thin stake. Dead flowers should be removed to encourage further blooms. During dry spells they should be watered to keep the soil nice and moist, and a little bit of weak fertiliser every now and then can do wonders.