Family: Campanulaceae
Scientific name: Canarina canariensis
Common name: Canary Island Bellflower
Origin: Canary Islands

This lovely species originally grow in cool, highland forests of the Canary Islands and produces beautiful, bell-shaped flowers. The flowers are orange-red and produce abundant nectar, which makes them attractive to insects. The orange-purple fruits are edible and can be compared to figs. The plant forms underground tubers, which is why it can grow up from the ground each spring. Due to the cooler forests of the Canary Islands, the plant doesn’t like too much heat during the summer. It doesn’t like frost during the winter as well. Move the plant to a half-sunny spot and take the tubers inside during winter.

Sowing description: First soak the seeds for 24 hours in lukewarm water. Then sow them just below the surface of sowing mix and let them germinate at 20-22 degC. Keep the soil constantly moist and put them at a bright spot.

Sowing time: Whole year 
Difficulty: Intermediate
Minimum temperature: 0 degrees Celsius

Photo 1: Job Marrero Alemán via Flickr