Gloxinia speciosa Kaiser Wilhelm

Gloxinia 'Kaiser Wilhelm' is a variety with a retro charm. Its bicoloured and velvety bell-shaped flowers are dark violet with a wide white border. They offer a magnificent contrast in light and shade. The flowers are beautifully displayed against a backdrop of velvety, dark green foliage. This perennial tuberous plant blooms for a good part of summer. It is easy to grow and looks spectacular in the house, or on a windowsill. Place it in partial shade, protected from direct sunlight.

Gloxinia speciosa, also known as Sinningia speciosa, belongs to the Gesneriaceae family and is native to Brazil. Since the 19th century, this tuberous and frost-sensitive perennial plant has given rise to numerous cultivars that have become exceptional indoor plants. The 'Kaiser Wilhelm' cultivar produces plants that do not exceed 30 to 35cm (12 to 14in) in all directions. The flowers, resembling large velvety bells, appear during spring and bloom throughout summer. They appear in the axils of the leaves, carried by short peduncles. They can reach 8cm (3in) in diameter. The flowers are dark violet, extensively marginated with white, blooming around a dark, almost black, lightly speckled throat. The foliage consists of large, wide, fleshy, and velvety dark green leaves. Their veins are visible and their edges are crenate. Oval to oblong in shape, they dry up in autumn and disappear with the arrival of cool temperatures. Only the round and flattened tubercles persist in the soil, which should be kept dry until the start of vegetation in spring.

Gloxinias are stunning indoor plants. They are sturdy and easy to overwinter in a dry environment. Few plants can claim such a theatrical appearance, and it is sometimes difficult, if not impossible, to place them with other plants. They are stunning in flower boxes and on windowsills, protected from direct sunlight. They are perfect for replacing geraniums where there is a lack of sunlight.