About
Chasmanthe aethiopica is a perennial plant that forms clumps and features upright, lance-shaped leaves in a pale green hue. From late spring to early summer, it produces vibrant orange-red flower spikes. The tubular blossoms are arranged on one side of the spike, all facing the same direction.
About the genus
This genus comprises clump-forming perennials belonging to the iris family and is native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa. The plants develop from corms and feature a cluster of narrow, lanceolate leaves. The erect flowering stems bear tubular blossoms that are organized in two distinct vertical rows.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, South-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Bulbs, Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Gravel garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Patio and container plants
- Native to
- S Africa (S Cape)
Care notes
- Cultivation
- In milder parts of the UK grow in a sunny or semi shade spot, in rich moist but well drainied soil. They can over winter outside in very sheltered gardens with free draining soil. But are best lifted or grown in pots for frost prone gardens
- Pruning
- Cut back in late winter before the new growth appears
- Propagation
- Propagate from seed in spring or divide established clumps in spring, discarding old or damaged corms
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free