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CUPHEA llavea (VIENCO® WHITE)

Image of Cuphea llavea (VIENCO® WHITE, VIENCO® SERIES)

Mark A. Miller

Family

Lythraceae

Botanical Name

CUPHEA llavea( VIENCO® WHITE, VIENCO® SERIES)

Plant Common Name

Batface Cuphea, Vienco® White Batface Cuphea

Special Notice

This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.

General Description

Batface cuphea is a wonderful, free-flowering tender perennial with vivid red and purple flowers that resemble the face of a bat or Mickey Mouse. It can be effectively grown as an annual in temperate areas during warm summers. In the wild, this heat and drought tolerant plant naturally grows along streambanks in hot locations in Mexico.

The small, smooth green leaves of batface are evergreen to semi-evergreen. When summer temperatures rise, plentiful tubular flowers with frilly, flared red lobes and purple throats are produced. The flowers are much sought after by hummingbirds. Small, insignificant fruits follow the flowers. Batface does not require deadheading to rebloom.

Full to partial sun and well-drained soil with average to good fertility and a neutral pH are needed for dense foliage and good flowering. Once established, it is both heat and drought tolerant. Still, specimens planted in containers require regular water. Plant batface in colorful flower gardens or containers. There are many notable cultivars for the garden. Those of the Flamenco Series have extra large blooms and come in lots of vibrant purple, red and pink shades. 'Georgia Scarlet' has a more prostrate form.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 6

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    8 - 11

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Tender Perennial

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    1'-2' / 0.3m - 0.6m

  • Width

    1'-2' / 0.3m - 0.6m

  • Bloom Time

    Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall, Indeterminate

  • Native To

    Mexico

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Drought

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Cushion/Mound-forming

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Red, Purple

  • Flower Color Modifier

    Bicolor

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Evergreen

    Semi-Evergreen

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Bedding Plant, Container, Hanging Basket, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Hummingbirds

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes