Cuphea Twinkle Pink

Cuphea 'Twinkle Pink', nicknamed the "Cigar Plant", is a perennial plant forming a beautiful rounded clump that can reach 80 cm high. Tts compact habit is easily maintained with regular pruning. Its elongated and dark green leaves are evergreen. It is especially loved for its long and generous flowering. From May until the first frost, it is covered with small tubular pink flowers that open to six light violet petals. It is not very hardy (-4°C) so should only be planted in the ground in the mildest regions, unless you use it as an annual plant. Everywhere else, grow it in a pot and protect it from frost by overwintering it indoors or in a conservatory.

The Cuphea genus is in the Lythraceae family and includes more than 250 species native to South America, Central America, and the Pacific Islands among others. The 'Twinkle Pink' variety is a horticultural creation, derived from Cuphea ignea, native to Mexico. It produces bright pink tubular flowers that open to six lighter, slightly violet petals. They are 2 to 3 cm in length, clustered in spikes at the end of the stems and make excellent cut flowers. It owes its nickname "Cigar Plant" to its original tube-shaped flowers. In our climates, flowering generally extends from May until the first frost. Its leaves are lanceolate, leathery, and dark green. The midrib is very pronounced. They are evergreen if the plant is protected from the cold. It is only hardy down to -4°C. The Cigar Plant easily branches out and forms a bushy clump 40 to 80 cm high and almost as wide.

Cuphea Twinkle Pink can be used as an annual and planted in flower beds. Its pink colour easily blends in. In the mildest climates, it can remain in the ground from one year to the next. Everywhere else, it is best to plant it in a pot. For company, consider Phormium 'Dark Delight' with its almost black purple foliage or Phormium 'Jester' with its pink tones. The Lucky Melody Eupatorium with its fluffy white flowers will offer a nice contrast.