Flower Specifications
- Season: Annual
- USDA Zones: 3 - 11
- Height: 16 inches
- Bloom Season: Late spring to mid summer
- Bloom Color: Mix
- Environment: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil Type: Well drained, pH 6.1 - 7.5
Planting Directions
- Temperature: 70 - 75F
- Average Germ Time: 15 - 30 days
- Light Required: No - sow in darkness
- Depth: Surface sow seed and press in to earth
- Sowing Rate: 3 - 4 seeds per plant
- Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination
- Plant Spacing: 9 - 12 inches
- Care & Maintenance: See: Salpiglossis
Painted Tongue (Salpiglossis Sinuata Velvet Dolly) - Grown from Salpiglossis seeds, this annual is commonly known as Painted Tongue, and it is a native of South America and related to petunias. The Salpiglossis flower is trumpet-shaped and about 2 inches in width, and each flower is rich with velvety color and veins that are painted with a contrasting color. Salpiglossis Painted Tongue is perfect for the flower bed or in containers and baskets. The flowers are excellent for cutting and last in the vase nicely.
How To Grow Painted Tongue: Darkness is needed for germination. Cover seeds with a piece of cardboard. Sow Painted Tongue seeds indoors in late winter. The flower seed is fine, so gently press the seeds into the soil but do not cover. Once temperatures are warm and danger of frost has passed, Painted Tongue seedlings may be hardened off and transplanted outdoors into beds and borders. If sowing Salpiglossis seeds directly outdoors, wait until soil temperatures are warm. Prepare a seedbed and add compost to the soil so that it is nutrient rich. Pinch seedlings back to encourage branching. Painted Tongue Care: Deadhead the spent flowers to promote continued blooming. Salpiglossis plants often require stakes.