Holmskioldia sanguinea: Growing Tips and More

The Chinese Cup, also known as Holmskioldia sanguinea, belongs to the Verbenaceae family. It is also referred to as the Umbrella Flower or Hat Flower. The name ‘Chinese Cup’ suggests that the flower retains its vibrant red color even in winter.

The flower blooms at the top with a bell-shaped corolla and a vibrant orange-red calyx, making it extremely eye-catching when in full bloom. The branches of the plant are long and creeping and can be pruned into a shrub.

It prefers dryness in winter, which helps the flowering, and after flowering, it should be pruned heavily to promote new growth. It enjoys high temperatures and grows best at 23-32℃. It is suitable for trellises, flower corridors or potted plants.

In tropical areas, it is used for landscaping, luring on trellises or walls. It can be grown in greenhouses in subtropical and temperate regions.

Originally from the Himalayas, it is now cultivated in Guangdong, Guangxi, Taiwan, and other places in China for ornamental purposes.

Physical Features

It is an evergreen shrub that grows 3-7 meters tall. The twigs are tetragonal with four grooves and covered in hair.

The leaves are opposite, membranous, ovate or broad-ovate. The base is round or nearly truncate, with serrated leaf margins. Both surfaces have sparse hair and glandular spots, but it is denser along the veins. The petiole is 1-2 cm long, with hair and glandular spots, and grooved.

The umbels often group into 2-6 to form a cone shape, with each umbel having three flowers. The middle flower stalk is longer than the sides. The stalk and inflorescence have short glandular hair and long simple hair.

The calyx is red or orange-red, expanding from the base into a wide inverted conical disc with a diameter of up to 2 cm.

The edges have sparse cilia, and the network veins are obvious. The corolla is red, with a tube length of 2-2.5 cm, and glandular spots. There are four stamens, with the filaments 2.5-3 cm long and glandular spots.

The fruit is inverted ovate, about 6 mm long, with four deep fissures, enclosed in a persistent, enlarged calyx.

The flowering period is at the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

Growing Environment

It loves light, warmth and well-drained environments.

Distribution Range

Originally from the Himalayas. It is now cultivated in Guangdong, Guangxi, Taiwan, and other places in China for ornamental purposes.

Primary Value

In tropical areas, it is used for landscaping, luring on trellises or walls. It can be grown in greenhouses in subtropical and temperate regions.

Growth and Propagation

It can be propagated by seeding or cutting. It needs to be kept moist and warm. The potted medium can be fertile loam with good drainage.