Copihue (Chilean bellflower)
Lapageria rosea
Chile's national flower: waxy red bells on a shade-loving climber, followed by a sweet, cucumber-like fruit.
Hardiness: zones 9 to 10
Light: shade
Size: about 12 ft tall, 4 ft wide
Harvest: March to May
From: S. Chile
Here: Too tender to overwinter outdoors on the Lake Erie shore (zone 6b to 7a): grow it in a pot and bring it in, or treat it as an annual.
Good for: food, pollinators, wildlife.
Native to: Southern Cone & Patagonia. Hardy in zones 9 to 10.
The story
Copihue is the national flower of Chile and a flower of Mapuche legend. Once sold by the armful in the markets of Temuco, it is now protected in the wild. The plump fruit, called pepino, was a seasonal treat.
Planting
Shade, cool humid air and acid, leafy soil that drains well. Give it a trellis out of direct sun and wind.
Growing
Slow and long-lived. Keep the roots moist and cool, and guide the twining stems.
Harvest and use
Flowers come from late summer into winter. Where they are pollinated, the green fruit ripens to yellow and tastes sweet and mild.
What to watch for
Slugs eat the new shoots. It fails in hot, dry or alkaline conditions.
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More native and wild plants
General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home