About

Chasmanthe floribunda 'Saturnus' is a clump-forming perennial characterized by its vibrant green, upright, lanceolate foliage. In summer, it produces dark purple flower spikes that bear tubular flowers in a vivid orangey-red hue, featuring yellow throats.

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
East-facing, South-facing, West-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, Coastal, Mediterranean climate plants, Patio and container plants, Gravel garden

Care notes

Cultivation
In milder parts of the UK grow in a sunny or semi shade spot, in rich moist but well drained 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