There are two major loves in my life: tea and plants. So you can
imagine my delight when I stumbled upon this unusual beauty –
Jovellana punctata – only to be told that it’s commonly known as
the ‘teacup flower’. This curious plant is a half-hardy
perennial that sports white cup-like flowers that with a little
imagination look almost hand-painted having spots of purple and
a dash of yellow in the throat. This colouration is unique to
each flower and acts as an attractant to pollinators, such as
bees and hoverflies, much in the same way as can be seen in
foxgloves, making it great for wildlife enthusiasts although it
adds vibrancy to any space it’s placed in. Unlike the foxglove,
this plant hails from Chile and will need protection in colder
months although its leaves are said to be evergreen with a spicy
aroma if crushed. I imagine that this would not be the case in
the UK climate unless plants are placed under cover or brought
indoors. Plants grow to around 5 foot in height, making it
perfect for the middle