Griffinia or Blue Amaryllis. This utterly charming species native to the Mata Atlantica of Brazil is extremely endangered in its native habitat, due to habitat destruction. Many believe that it could be on the verge of extinction in its native haunts. It is not common in cultivation either, but it makes an intriguing pot plant where it is too cold to grow outdoors. I have had it come back here in zone 8, but it struggles through the warm months to build back up before the next winter. But when grown as a container subject, one is rewarded with these incredible Amaryllis-like blue flowers for months on end. It can be easily overwintered in a sun room even with temperatures dropping to near freezing. Indoors, put it near a sunny window, but outdoors it prefers filtered sun. In its native habitats in grows on rich forest floor debris with good drainage. We grow our plants in unglazed clay pots, but these will be removed when shipping to save on weight. But I love the way clay pots "breath", and it gives additional insurance against over-watering.
Zones 9-11 when grown outdoors. All others grow as a pot plant.
