Cantua Species, Magic Flower, Sacred Flower of the Incas

5 years growing 2 Cantua buxifolia plants - one in the ground (clay, slight slope) and one in a 20 inch plastic pot. Both in full sun. We...Read More get occasional slight frosts, and in summer many days over 40 degrees Celsius. Record was set in 2019 at 48 in the shade (just over 118F).
Over summer the larger leaves drop, and in very hot weather all leaves drop on many of the stems, leaving tiny scale leaves. Maintaining moisture keeps them alive until autumn, when the leaves regrow quickly. Flowering runs from August to October (late winter to mid-spring over here).
Three years ago got my first infestation of red spider mite in the garden, which affected several plants, including my Brugmansia and Cantuas. Leaf drop can be rapid when the mites get hold. Used water spray to keep them under control, until the appearance of tiny black predatory ladybirds, and they do the job now.
I did also have a Cantua bicolor (sadly deceased) that would produce individual buxifolia flowers from time to time, and one flower that was half and half longitudinally. Never seen that before, but apparently it was a chimera.
Would recomment trying Cantua, even if you are outside its normal zone - I also have a number of high altitude Tacsonia Passiflora that withstand temperatures 20+ above their supposed limit.

We are growing Canuta buxifolia in the UK in the microclimate at Ventnor Botanic Garden where we rarely experience frost and if we do it ...Read Moreis short lived.

I'm including a version of the tale which describes how it came to be called the Sacred Flower of the Incas. I have only just gotten this...Read More plant, so I don't know how it will do in my very unforgiving little microclimate in San Diego. I am planting it in an area with a bit of afternoon filtered shade, as it gets brutally hot in our yard, and crossing my fingers!
The Inca legend associated with the Cantuta is the tale of two kings named Illimani and Illampu, and their sons. Both kings were powerful and wealthy rulers of a vast country in the Kollasuyo region (today's Bolivian Altiplano), and both had a son they and their people held in great esteem. But as time passed, the kings became irritated at each other's prosperity, and eventually one of them attacked the other.

During the battle, both kings were mortally wounded by their counterpart, and were carried away. On their dying bed, both called their son and had them make the vow to avenge them, even if both sons were opposed to the war in the first place. Bound by their pledge, they prepared and led a second war even though they held no grudge against each other. History repeated, and both sons inflicted a fatal wound to the other.

But instead of harsh words, they generously forgave each other, and asked that their servants place them side by side on the green grass of the battlefield. Then appeared Pachamama, Goddess of Fertility, who told the young kings before they died that they shouldn't have suffered from their father's unjustified enmity. To punish their dead fathers, their stars fell from the sky, and became the snow covered mountains still named Illimani and Illampu, which are the highest peaks in the region.

The rivers of their snow slowly melting are their tears of regret, and fertilized the valleys. The Cantuta bloomed as a symbol of the people's unity, and bear the two colours of the king's sons (red and yellow), as well as green (standing for hope).

Cantua - Scared Flower of the Incas, Magic Flower
This small genus is made up of 6 species of semi-evergreen shrubs from the Andes...Read More of South America, characterized by pendulous, trumpet-shaped flowers on weak stalks. This characteristic is a feature of many unrelated flowers in the Americas that are pollinated by hummingbirds - with their amazing ability to hover they can obtain nectar from such flowers, which are inaccessible to other birds and insects. Only one species. Cantua buxifolia, is widely cultivated, valued for the elegance of its profuse flowers often in stark contrast with the bare, untidy stems and branches.
Cultivation: Cantuas require a mild climate without extremes of hot or cold and a sunny open position; in colder areas they prefer a sheltered position against a warm wall. They do best in moist, well-drained, fertile soil. Shape can be improved by tying back stems and pruning back longer growths; however, keep in mind that flowers are borne on the previous season's twigs. Propagate from seed or cuttings, which strike fairly readily.
C buxifolia
This species grow about 6-10' high with erect stems and arching branches. The leaves are small, grayish green and rather fleshy. The flowers, borne in late spring, vary on different plants, most evident among plants raised from seed. In gardens a rose-purple shade is popular but pink, white and pink-and-white striped flowers are also seen. Sometimes the normal pink-flowering form also bears branches with yellow and white flowers and different foliage.
Zones 8-9.