Sinningia ‘Arkansas Bells’

This perennial African Violet relative was given to me by its breeder, the late Dr Jon Lindstrom. He sent it home with me when I was visiting him at his University of Arkansas Horticulture research facility in Fayetteville several years ago. It is a hybrid of the species Sinningia sellovii and Sinningia tubiflora and sports pinkish-red tubular flowers on stalks that are taller than other Sinningias. Its blooms have a pleasant fruity scent and are also a delight to hummingbirds. Central Oklahoma is about the northern extent of its hardiness range, so to survive winter it needs a location in full sun with good drainage and maybe a southern exposure in front of a fence or structure.