Cautleya cathcartii 'Tenzing's Gold'
A decidous, clump-forming, exotic-looking perennial with lance-shaped green leaves that have purple-red undersides. Stems, to a height of 55cm (21.5in), bear spikes of yellow-orange flowers, that emerge from red-tinted bracts in mid-summer and autumn.
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow Orange | Green Red Purple | ||
| Autumn | Yellow Orange | Green Red Purple | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Zingiberaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Cautleya are rhizomatous perennials with erect stems bearing lance-shaped or oblong leaves in two ranks, and funnel-shaped yellow flowers with conspicuous bracts, in slender racemes
- Name status
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in partial-shade, or with protection from midday sun, in a sheltered position on soil rich in organic matter. Protect in cold/frost-prone areas with a deep mulch of organic matter in winter.
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown underglass/indoors at 15-20°C (18-64°F) in early spring. Propagate by division in late spring just after growth has emerged.
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Sub-tropical
- Conservatory and greenhouse
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
Pruning
No pruning required. Remove withered foliage in autumn/winter.
Pests
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.