Overview
Bulbinella rossii is a columnar upright herbaceous perennial in the genus Bulbinella, part of the Asphodelaceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 1 metres tall. Bulbinella rossii 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 rossii, commonly known as the Ross lily, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asphodelaceae. It is an endemic megaherb of New Zealand's subantarctic Auckland Islands and Campbell Island. It was first described in 1845 by Joseph Dalton Hooker in the Flora Antarctica, from material collected on Campbell Island, as Chrysobactron rossii. Bulbinella rossii reaches a height of up to 1 metre (3 feet 3 inches). Grow it in full sun and partial shade and loam and sand soil. In UK gardens it is half-hardy and may need winter protection in colder areas (RHS H3). It works well for city and courtyard gardens, rock garden, coastal, cottage and informal garden, flower borders and beds and wall side borders. It tolerates acid and neutral soils, moist but well-drained conditions and south-facing, east-facing and west-facing aspects. Plant at appropriate depth in well-drained soil.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Bulbinella rossii
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 rossii size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1 metres
- 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 rossii
- Propagation
- Seed, Division
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Bulbinella rossii?
Bulbinella rossii prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Bulbinella rossii need?
Bulbinella rossii grows best in loam and sand soil. It prefers acid and neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
How big does Bulbinella rossii grow?
Bulbinella rossii reaches a height of 1 metres.
Is Bulbinella rossii hardy in the UK?
Bulbinella rossii 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 rossii?
Seed, Division.
More in the Bulbinella genus
- Bulbinella angustifoliaMaori onion
- Bulbinella cauda-felis
- Bulbinella eburniflora
- Bulbinella gibbsiiGibbs's Māori onion
- Bulbinella hookerigolden wand
- Bulbinella modesta
