About
This colour mix of tender flowering perennials which grow from bulb-like structures known as corms. In late winter, spring or summer (depending on time of planting), funnel-shaped, double, scented flowers in mauve, orange, white, yellow and cerise bloom sequentially on thin arching stems above sword-shaped, mid-green leaves. Height around 45cm (18in).
About the genus
Freesia are cormous deciduous perennials with erect, linear to narrowly lance-shaped leaves and upright stems bearing terminal racemes of slender-tubed, salver-shaped or trumpet-shaped flowers that are usually scented
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1 year
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationFreesias naturally flower in early spring, but need frost-free conditions. Plant corms in autumn, outdoors in very mild areas, or in containers in a frost-free greenhouse. Specially prepared corms can be planted outdoors in mid-spring to flower in late summer, but will only do this for the first year. See freesia cultivation
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by separating corm offsets, or by seed. Young plants take a few seasons to reach flowering size. See freesia cultivation
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to dry rot and Fusarium wilt