The Sacred Flower of the Andes is a beautiful but not commonly planted small tree or large shrub growing to 10' tall with a vase or spreading habit. They have a stiff branching pattern with an occasional long branch heading off in some random direction. This cultivar has larger flowers.
Leaves are evergreen, simple, alternate, oval shaped to obovate, 1" long, appearing to be in clusters, where the lateral bud breaks but only produces a few leaves.
Flowers are very attractive, 3" long trumpet shaped, borne in large clusters of a dozen or so. These were blooming in January…..
Misidentification:
Can't think of anything. My guess is that lots of Cantua specimens are not 'Hot Lips', as the corolla is supposed to be orangish. Leaves are boxwood like, Buxus sempervirens.
Location:
Santa Cruz
San Lorenzo Garden Center
