My Sinningia tubiflora (hardy gloxinia) is blooming! Seems a bit early but who am I to complain? ;)

I hope it continues to put up flower spikes throughout the growing season. This is my second year with it. It grows fast! I've read it likes lots of water and fertilizer while it's growing and apparently I wasn't watering it enough (the flower spikes drooped and some leaves curled about an hour before I took this pic). :(

Fortunately it seems to have perked back up.

It does have a citrus/lemon like scent. Some garden visitors have compared it to soap and deodorant. If I were to compare it to a body product I'd say citrus scented hand sanitizer.

It's a pretty cool plant. :)

-Robert