Overview
Bulbinella cauda-felis is a columnar upright herbaceous perennial in the genus Bulbinella, part of the Asphodelaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Bulbinella cauda-felis grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates loam and sand soils and acid and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H3. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, rock garden, coastal, cottage and informal garden, flower borders and beds and wall side borders.
About
Bulbinella cauda-felis is a deciduous cultivar of the Bulbinella genus, which comprises perennial plants known for their clumping habit and narrow, fleshy leaves arranged in a rosette. This cultivar has a columnar upright habit and produces numerous small, star-shaped flowers in spring. It thrives in full sun or partial shade with well-drained, moist soil, preferring loam or sand with an acid to neutral pH. Suitable for various garden settings, including city gardens, rock gardens, and flower borders, it is hardy to UK zone H3 and can be propagated by seed or division.
About the genus
Bulbinella is a genus of plants in the family Asphodelaceae, subfamily Asphodeloideae, first described as a genus in 1843. Many species are endemic to Cape Province in western South Africa, confined to the winter rainfall area. Other species are endemic to New Zealand, where they are most common in the central Otago region which enjoys a similar climate to the Cape Region of South Africa.
Wikipedia contributors, "Bulbinella", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Bulbinella
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Bulbinella
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
Bulbinella cauda-felis size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Rock garden, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Flower borders and beds, Wall side borders
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Bulbinella cauda-felis
- Propagation
- Seed, Division
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Bulbinella cauda-felis?
Bulbinella cauda-felis prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Bulbinella cauda-felis need?
Bulbinella cauda-felis grows best in loam and sand soil. It prefers acid and neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Bulbinella cauda-felis hardy in the UK?
Bulbinella cauda-felis has an RHS hardiness rating of H3, meaning it is half-hardy, tolerating -5 to 1°C, and may need winter protection in colder areas.
How do I propagate Bulbinella cauda-felis?
Seed, Division.
More in the Bulbinella genus
- Bulbinella angustifoliaMaori onion
- Bulbinella eburniflora
- Bulbinella gibbsiiGibbs's Māori onion
- Bulbinella hookerigolden wand
- Bulbinella modesta
- Bulbinella rossii
