PlantFiles: Mask Flower
Alonsoa meridionalis

Lots of 1” cinnabar-red flowers on neat, graceful many -branching stems to 30” tall. Long blooming! Nice in front of a bed & an excellent container plant. Cut back when it looks tired to renew bloom. Loves rich soil and usually lives 1 to 2 years in warmer zones. If you live in a hot summer area this is well worth growing as an annual.

The natural habitat of this perennial is on sunny hillsides. They grow as isolated plants as well as with the support of shrubs. They can reach up to 1.5 m height and 1 m width.

This plant requires full sun and good drainage. Do not overwater. It is recommended to pinch the new plant to ensure a more compact growth. However, this will delay blooming.

Blooming period is from Spring to end of Summer

Sowing recommendations: stratified sowing in Autumn in a mix made of 2 portions compost, one portion regular gardening soil and one portion river sand. This plant will flower the first year grown from seeds.

Alonsoas are recommended as isolated plant, in a mixed flower bed, in pots, containers and balconies, provided they are located south facing (in the Northern Hemisphere) and north facing in the Southern Hemisphere. They look great glowing through little dense shrubs.

In my zone, this is a perennial clumpy bush. Summer or fall sown seed is a great way to get some color into your winter garden. Though, it does tend to sprawl if it doesn't get enough sun. Would probably be fun in a hanging basket. It is not particularly prone to any pests or disease that I've noticed, and attracts beneficial insects (Syrphid Flies). It self sows, but the seeds do not go far. Once you start a clump, you will never be without it. I now have a red and a pink. I will be interested to see if I get any crossing.