Vireya Lunar Flame
Vireya Lunar Flame is a tropical vireya rhododendron grown for its bright orange double flowers. The blooms are richly layered and appear in clusters, giving the plant a full, rounded look. This vireya flowers across multiple flushes through the year, making it one of the more reliably rewarding choices in the group. Mature plants reach around 1 to 1.5m high and wide.
Lunar Flame suits a sheltered courtyard garden, a tropical-style planting, or a lush container display on a deck or patio. Its warm orange colouring pairs well with deep reds, soft yellows, and dark foliage. Mass several plants together for a vivid seasonal display, or use single specimens as a focal point in a sheltered border.
Grow this vireya in a bright, sheltered spot with filtered light or morning sun. It needs free-draining, acidic soil rich in organic matter. A mix of bark and compost works well in containers. Avoid heavy clay or waterlogged ground, which will quickly stress the roots.
Being frost-tender, Lunar Flame is not suited to frost-prone inland areas such as Central Otago or inland Southland without reliable shelter. Water regularly and mulch to keep roots cool. Like all vireyas and rhododendrons, this plant is toxic to cats, dogs, and horses if eaten.
Trimming: Trim lightly after each flowering flush to keep the plant tidy and encourage branching. Vireyas respond well to a light tip prune. Avoid cutting back into old bare wood, as regrowth from hard pruning is unreliable.
Deadheading: Deadheading is not essential. Removing spent flower clusters can tidy the plant and support the next flush, but leaving them does no harm.
Fertilising: Feed in spring and again after flowering with a fertiliser formulated for azaleas, camellias, and rhododendrons. Keep rates moderate, as vireyas have sensitive roots and do not need heavy feeding.
Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged. Water regularly through warm months and reduce frequency in winter. Container-grown plants dry out faster and need more frequent attention.
Pest Control: Watch for aphids, thrips, two-spotted mite, and scale, particularly on new growth and leaf undersides. Treat early with a suitable insecticide or horticultural oil to prevent build-up.
Disease Management: Free-draining soil and good airflow are the main defences. Wet or heavy soil invites Phytophthora root rot, which is the most common cause of decline in vireyas. Clear fallen leaves and spent flowers regularly. Petal blight can occur in humid conditions; remove affected flowers promptly and improve air circulation around the plant.
Enjoy complimentary delivery anywhere in mainland New Zealand when you purchase plants worth $250 or more*.
For orders below $250, the following flat-rate delivery charges are applicable:
- Urban delivery within mainland New Zealand: $19.95
- Rural delivery within mainland New Zealand: $39.95
- Waiheke, Chatham and Great Barrier Islands: Please contact us for shipping options.
We aim to have all orders shipped within 14 days from the order date, unless a different shipping date is specified alongside a product.
