Guide to growing Fringe Cups - Tellima

Tellima are hardy perennials that reach 60cm in height.

They have bronze or green heart shaped leaves and bloom in the summer when they carry bell like flowers of white, which later transform into pink.

Some of the common names for Tellima are Fringe Cups and False Alumroot.

How to grow Fringe Cups

It is probably easiest to grow fringe cups and other Tellima from divided plants in the spring or autumn. If you plan to grow Fringe Cups from seed then sow in the autumn using fresh seeds. The seeds should be sown into flats and sank into a shaded part of the garden; they should then be covered with glass and the soil kept moist. It can take anything from one to three months for the Fringe Cup seeds to germinate. Once it starts to get really cold, bring the flats indoors and keep at a temperature of about 12 to 15 degrees. Put the flats outside again in the spring. Once you have seedlings (or divisions from other plants) plant them to their final location in autumn at about 40 to 60cm apart.

Fringe cups should be grown in a shady or partially shaded part of the garden and prefer a soil that is moist and rich.

Caring for Fringe Cups

Once established it is pretty easy to care for Fringe Cups and other Tellima members. They like a cool soil so supply a mulch in spring and autumn. They also like a moist soil so water when it is dry. It is important to control the plant once established as it can become invasive. If you require more plants then it is best to propagate the fringe cup plants by division; this can be done in either spring or at the start of autumn.