Overview
Freesia 'Athene' is a clump forming bulbs in the genus Freesia, part of the Iridaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Freesia 'Athene' grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H2. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, coastal, cottage and informal garden, gravel garden, mediterranean climate plants, patio and container plants, conservatory and greenhouse, cut flowers, flower borders and beds and wall side borders.
About
Freesia 'Athene' is a clump-forming cultivar of the Freesia genus, which comprises perennial plants growing from corms with deciduous foliage. It produces upright stems topped with clusters of slender, tubular flowers in spring. This cultivar thrives in full sun and prefers a south-facing, sheltered position with well-drained, neutral loam soil. Suitable for a variety of garden settings including city and courtyard gardens, coastal areas, and patios, Freesia 'Athene' is also valued for cut flowers and container planting. It is hardy to UK zone H2 and can be propagated by corm offsets or seed.
About the genus
Freesia is a genus of herbaceous perennial flowering plants in the family Iridaceae, first described as a genus in 1866 by Christian Friedrich Ecklon (1886) and named after the German botanist and medical practitioner, Friedrich Freese (1795–1876). It is native to the eastern side of southern Africa, from Kenya south to South Africa, most species being found in Cape Provinces. Species of the former genus Anomatheca are now included in Freesia.
Wikipedia contributors, "Freesia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Freesia
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Freesia
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H2
Plant details
Freesia 'Athene' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Bulbs
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Patio and container plants, Conservatory and greenhouse, Cut flowers, Flower borders and beds, Wall side borders
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Freesia 'Athene'
- Propagation
- Corm offsets, Seed
- Pest resistance
- Susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Freesia 'Athene'?
Freesia 'Athene' prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Freesia 'Athene' need?
Freesia 'Athene' grows best in loam soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Freesia 'Athene' hardy in the UK?
Freesia 'Athene' has an RHS hardiness rating of H2, meaning it is tender, tolerating 1–5°C, and needs frost-free protection over winter.
How do I propagate Freesia 'Athene'?
Corm offsets, Seed.