About
A slender cormous perennial with narrow leaves and lax racemes of long-tubed, starry white flowers in late spring or early summer.
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, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0-0.1 metre
Time to full height1 year
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Gravel garden
Native toS & E Africa
Care notes
CultivationFreesias are naturally winter-growers starting into growth in autumn through to late spring so are usually grown in a frost-free greenhouse. Plant in pots of peat-free, loam-based compost with added gritty sand. Place in full light with good ventilation, water well and feed monthly until flower buds form. After flowering, dry off pots and store dry over the summer. Corms can also be stored dry over the winter and planted in well-drained soil in spring for later flowering. Lift in autumn and store dry
PruningFoliage can be removed after it dies down after flowering
PropagationSow seed in containers at 13-18°C in autumn or winter. Remove offsets in autumn
Pest resistanceSusceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, aphids
Disease resistanceSusceptible to Fusarium wilt and a virus