About
In autumn and early winter dense clusters of honey-scented, bell-shaped flowers, about 15mm wide, appear. A bulbous perennial, up to 15cm high, growing from autumn to spring, with narrow green leaves, up to 150mm long and 5mm wide. Flowers are lilac-pink, flushed with a darker blue-lilac central stripe along each petal.
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 typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Bulbs
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants
Native toSouth Africa (Cape)
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationPlant bulbs 10cm deep: in frost-prone areas, grow in a cool greenhouse or conservatory in full light in peat-free, loam-based potting compost such as John Innes No. 2, and water moderately as growth starts, water freely when in full growth (adding a balanced fertilizer every fortnight), and reduce watering as the leaves fade, then keep dry until fresh growth starts; in frost-free areas with dry summers, grow in full sun in well-drained soil in a rock garden or among low shrubs
PruningRemove old flowering stems as they fade
PropagationPropagate by seed, sown at 13-18°C, as soon as it is ripe, or by division, removing bulblets from dormant plants and repotting or replanting straightaway
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to mealybugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free