Origin
South America
Light
Full sun
Watering
Weekly
Care
Easy
Flowering
Flowering
Outdoor
Gueule-de-Loup
A closed flower that opens when squeezed — and leaves behind seed capsules shaped like tiny skulls.
Care Profile
A guide to ensuring your botanical companion thrives.
Origin
Mediterranean
Light
Full sun
Watering
Weekly
Maintenance
Easy
A door only bees can open
Native to Mediterranean rocky ground, it carries sealed flowers whose two lips stay shut until an insect heavy enough forces the mechanism.
Only large bumblebees have the necessary weight: the flower closes behind them, ensuring the pollen isn't squandered on visitors too light to pollinate it.
"The flower weighs its visitors before opening."
01
Styling Tip 01
Autumn sowing in mild climates
Sown in September it flowers by late winter; sown in spring it performs in summer.
02
Styling Tip 02
Pinch young plants
Take out the tip at five leaves: the plant branches and gives five spikes instead of one.
03
Styling Tip 03
Cut before seed sets
Remove finished spikes before capsules form to trigger a second flush of flowers.
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Origin
South America
Light
Full sun
Watering
Rarely
Care
Easy
Flowering
Flowering