About
Bulbine frutescens is a rhizomatous perennial that develops extensive, dense clusters of slender, succulent green leaves reaching heights of up to 45 cm. The plant produces orange or yellow flowers arranged in elongated racemes that rise above the foliage. Under optimal conditions, it can bloom continuously throughout the year.
About the genus
Bulbine consists of clump-forming perennials or shrubs, predominantly evergreen, with a tendency to be somewhat succulent. These plants feature slender leaves and produce star-shaped flowers in orange, yellow, or white hues, arranged in terminal racemes.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial, Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Coastal
- Native to
- S Africa
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Under glass, grow in peat-free, John Innes No 2 compost with additional sharp sand, in full light with good ventilation. Water freely when in growth and keep dry in winter. Outdoors, in summer, grow in well-drained sandy loam in full sun
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed at 13-18°C (55-64°F) in early spring. Can also be propagated by stem cuttings in summer (see semi-ripe cuttings)
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free