About
A bulbous perennial to 30cm with arching, purple-spotted, strap-shaped leaves appearing in autumn. The flowers follow in late winter or early spring as upright clusters of hanging, tubular, red-tipped, yellow flowers, opening from orange buds and carried on purple-flushed and spotted stems.
About the genus
Lachenalia are bulbous perennials with strap-shaped, sometimes dark-spotted leaves, and erect stems bearing racemes or spikes of tubular flowers, slightly fragrant in some species, in autumn, winter or early spring
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0-0.1 metre
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, Sub-tropical
Native toS Africa (Cape)
Care notes
CultivationGrow outdoors in light well-drained soil in a sheltered, frost-free area. Grow under glass in a peat -free, loam-based compost in full light. Reduce watering as the leaves fade, then keep dry until fresh growth starts in autumn
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed or remove bulblets in summer or autumn
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free