Well, 'Shogun' is a hybrid between Achimenes and Eucodonia. I have a bunch of those types growing. Not really too common anywhere in the States, but grown more in Europe I believe. They sure aren't common in my part of upper west central Texas. They would appreciate some degrees cooler and a lot more humidity, as would I. The plant group suits me because the little rhizomes are winter dormant, so I just let them dry up starting in Oct. and Nov. and then pack them away in the garage, or somewhere it won't freeze, until it's time for them to wake up toward the end of April and early May.
Here's an Achimenes 'unknown cultivar'. Purple and violet shades are the most common. This one has wide foliage that's very neat in habit and is always the first one (barely) to bloom.
I was trying to get a photo of the hosta bloom, but the plant above is Eucodonia 'Adele'. I probably won't see it begin to bloom until Sept., but I can always hope.
This plant is xAchinantha 'Inferno' a hybrid between Achimenes and Smithiantha. If it never bloomed, I like the foliage well enough to grow it. The blooms are a spectacular fire engine red, but sadly it's one of the last ones to bloom.
One more. Achimenes 'Yellow Beauty'. The foliage habit here is much looser and sprawling. It doesn't look as domesticated, plant-wise, as the others I grow. I did see a violet Achimenes blooming wild in the cloud forest in Costa Rica. It sprawled a little, but it sprawled with a very neat habit. Yellow, orange and pink blooms are less common colors. This is usually my second one to start blooming. It is just getting started, so if nothing happens I'll see a lot of bloom from it.
I think the hummingbirds are about as happy as I am to see them start blooming
. I'm not positive, but I think the orange bloom in the cover photo here on ATP is probably an Achimenes or xAchimenes.
