Streptocarpus 'Helen' (Cape primrose 'Helen')

Botanical name

Streptocarpus 'Helen'

Other names

Cape primrose 'Helen'

Genus

Streptocarpus Streptocarpus

Variety or Cultivar

'Helen' _ 'Helen' is a tender perennial for indoor use. It has dark-green, heavily-veined, oblong leaves formed at the base. It bears sprays of lavender-blue, tubular flowers on wiry stems.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Compact

Awards

RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)

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Colour

Flower

Lavender, Blue in Spring; Lavender, Blue in Summer; Lavender, Blue in Autumn

Foliage

Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Leafhoppers , Mealybugs , Tarsonemid mites , Thrips , Vine weevil

Diseases

Generally disease-free

General care

Propagation methods

Leaf cuttings, Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Streptocarpus 'Helen' (Cape primrose 'Helen') will reach a height of 0.2m and a spread of 0.2m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Conservatory, Containers, Greenhouse, Indoor

Cultivation

Grow indoors in loam-free compost in bright, filtered light. Allow compost to dry out between waterings. Deadhead to prolong flowering.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained, Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Indoor heated (H1)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Streptocarpus 'Helen' (Cape primrose 'Helen')

Common pest name

Alfalfa dwarf; Anaheim disease; California vine disease; Dwarf disease of alfalfa; Dwarf disease of lucerne; Leaf scald of oleander; Leaf scald of plum; Leaf scorch; Phony disease of peach; Pierce's disease of grapevine; Variegated chlorosis of citrus

Scientific pest name

Xylella fastidiosa subsp. fastidiosa

Type

Bacterium

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

A bacterial disease whose main hosts include grapevine; citrus; coffee and almond. Detected in Germany in 2016 in Nerium oleander. Some uncertainty about the potential to establish under UK climatic conditions; which will be investigated further. As an EU regulated pest; should an outbreak occur; there would be a need for eradication action; which would result in environmental and social impacts.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/