Bomarea multiflora — Colombian Climbing Lily | Dense Umbels of Red & Gold Blooms

Description

This is the climbing gem that makes gardeners stop mid-step and stare.

Born in the mist-wrapped mountains of Colombia and Ecuador—where it twines through cloud forest understory between 1200 and 4200 meters—Bomarea multiflora is a tuberous perennial climber that trades the quiet elegance of its Alstroemeria cousins for sheer theatrical drama. The genus name itself honors an 18th-century naturalist, Jacques Christophe Valmont de Bomare, and this species has earned its place in horticultural lore as “the rare climber that makes a true show in flowering.”

Here’s where Bomarea multiflora becomes irresistible: its capacity for vertical garden theatre. From late spring through autumn, this multi-stemmed twiner produces terminal umbels—dense, rounded clusters of 15-30+ tubular, narrowly funnel-shaped flowers per inflorescence. Each flower glows in deepest burgundy-red or bright orange-red on the exterior, clasped at the base with violet or wine-dark calyxes and stems; the interior reveals orange or yellow tones spotted with claret-brown or crimson—a sophistication of color that rivals premium cut flowers. Unlike more delicate ornamentals, these blooms persist in generous clusters that create the effect of a “carillon,” a cascade of color along every supporting structure. After flowering, lobed bright red fruits follow. But the real magic? The hummingbirds arrive. This species is ornithophilous—evolved to attract nectar-feeding birds—and watching hummingbirds navigate those dense flower clusters is garden theatre of the highest order. Whether trained on a sunny trellis, an arched pergola, or a greenhouse border, this rare climber becomes the conversation piece that anchors an entire garden space.

Cultivation is refreshingly straightforward. Bomarea multiflora thrives in a warm, sunny position with plenty of light (though it adapts to bright shade or even artificial light). It prefers moist but well-drained soil enriched with organic matter and appreciates sandy or gritty amendments; the plant is tuberous and enters dormancy in winter, so err on the side of drying out during colder months. Hardy to around 32°F (0°C) if mulched heavily, it can be grown outdoors in temperate zones, or brought under glass where it truly shines. Growing from seed is straightforward: soak seeds in warm water, stratify in vermiculite in the refrigerator for 6 weeks, then sow in loam-based compost at 15–20°C. Germination takes 2–3 months but can be erratic; patience is rewarded when those first slender shoots appear, ready to become the climber of your dreams.

This is more than a climber—it’s a living conversation starter, a piece of Andean cloud forest beauty transplanted to your trellis, and a magnet for the most magical garden visitors. Grow Bomarea multiflora from seed and watch your vertical spaces come alive with the kind of botanical abundance that makes people fall in love with gardening all over again.