About

Bessera elegans is a perennial plant that features slender, upright foliage reaching heights of approximately 70 cm. During late summer or autumn, it forms a terminal cluster of small flowers, characterized by their red and white coloration, which are held aloft on delicate, elongated stems.

About the genus

Bessera are perennial plants that grow from corms. They feature slender, linear foliage and produce vibrant, pendant flowers.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun
Soil type
Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Well-drained
Aspect
West-facing, South-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H2

Plant details

Plant type
Bulbs
Habit
Columnar upright
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
0.5-1 metres
Spread
0-0.1 metre
Time to full height
2-5 years
Suggested uses
City and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Mediterranean climate plants
Native to
Mexico

Care notes

Cultivation
Under glass, grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light. Water moderately in full growth and keep dry once the leaves die down. Outdoors, plant 6cm deep in well-drained soil in full sun in spring. Keep dormant corms dry in winter
Pruning
No pruning required
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown under glass, or by division of the rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs
Pest resistance
Generally pest-free
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free